Speaking — Short Questions, Future Forms
Speaking Lesson

Short Questions, Future Forms

Ask about problems clearly — the first time.

Warm-up

  • Think about the last time you needed a quick answer from someone at work. How did you ask for it?
  • When something goes wrong in your team, who do you talk to first?
  • What's one problem in your team right now that you'd like to know more about?

Listen & Notice

You notice a delayed project and talk to Dana. Notice how short the questions are.

question chunkfuture form
You: Hi Dana, got a minute? What's going on with the search update?
Dana: It's behind schedule.
You: What's causing the delay?
Dana: We found a data problem, and one engineer is sick.
You: Will this affect the launch date?
Dana: Probably. We might need one more week.
You: What might go wrong if we keep the same date?
Dana: We might release it with bugs.
You: What are you going to do about it?
Dana: I'm going to ask for one more engineer, and we're going to test everything twice.
You: OK. When are we meeting about this?
Dana: We're meeting the product team on Thursday.
You: Will you have finished the testing by Friday?
Dana: Yes. By Friday, we'll have fixed the main bugs.
You: Great. What do you need from me?
Dana: Your approval for one more engineer.
You: Done. I'll send it today.

Clear Beats Fancy

The same question, two ways. Which one gets you an answer faster?

I was wondering whether you might be able to give me some insight into why the report hasn't been completed yet.
What's going on with the report?
Could you elaborate on the potential ramifications this could have on our timeline?
Will this affect our timeline?
I would appreciate it if you could outline the steps you intend to take to remedy the situation.
What are you going to do about it?
One question. One idea. Ask first — add detail after the answer.

Key Question Chunks

Eight chunks from the dialogue. Tap a card for the meaning, then ask your question out loud.

Ask about a problem
What's going on with...?
что происходит с...?
tap to flip
💬

A teammate's report is two days late. Ask about it.

Find the cause
What's causing...?
что вызывает...? / в чём причина...?
tap to flip
💬

The app has been slow since Monday. Ask what's causing it.

will
Will this affect...?
это повлияет на...?
tap to flip
💬

A key person is out sick. Ask whether it will affect the deadline.

might
What might go wrong if...?
что может пойти не так, если...?
tap to flip
💬

The team wants to launch without testing. Ask what might go wrong.

going to
What are you going to do about...?
что вы собираетесь делать с...?
tap to flip
💬

A client is unhappy. Ask what the plan is.

present continuous
When are we meeting about...?
когда мы встречаемся по поводу...?
tap to flip
💬

A budget issue needs a decision. Ask when the meeting is.

future perfect
Will you have finished... by...?
вы закончите... к...?
tap to flip
💬

The demo is on Friday. Ask whether the slides will be done by Thursday.

Offer help
What do you need from me?
что вам нужно от меня?
tap to flip
💬

A colleague looks stressed before a deadline. Offer help.

Group 1 — Pick the Future Form

Read the situation. Tap the sentence that fits best.
1. Dark clouds are right above you.
2. It's in your calendar: client call at 3 pm tomorrow.
3. There's about a 30% chance of a delay.
4. On Friday afternoon, the testing is already complete.
5. A colleague asks: "Can anyone send the file?" You decide right now.
6. Last week you decided to hire another tester.

Group 2 — Ask It Short

Read the problem and the chunk. Say one short question out loud, then check a model.
1. The client is unhappy.
Use: What's going on with...?
What's going on with the client?
2. The budget was cut.
Use: Will this affect...?
Will this affect our timeline?
3. There's no tester available.
Use: What might go wrong if...?
What might go wrong if we launch without a tester?
4. The delivery is late.
Use: What are you going to do about...?
What are you going to do about the delivery?
5. The demo is on Friday.
Use: Will you have finished... by...?
Will you have finished the slides by Thursday?
6. Legal must approve the contract.
Use: When are we meeting about...?
When are we meeting legal about the contract?

Group 3 — Cut It Down

These questions are too long. Say a short version out loud, then check a model.
1. "I was wondering whether it might be possible for you to give me some insight into why the report hasn't been completed yet."
What's going on with the report?
2. "Could you possibly elaborate on the potential ramifications this could have on our timeline?"
Will this affect our timeline?
3. "I would be grateful if you could outline the steps you intend to take in order to rectify the situation."
What are you going to do about it?
4. "Would it be feasible for us to arrange a discussion regarding this matter at some point this week?"
When are we meeting about this?
5. "May I ask whether there is any assistance that I might be able to provide you with?"
What do you need from me?

Speaking 1 — Problem Roulette

A problem and a future form appear. Ask one short question about the problem using that form — before the timer runs out. You can also use a real problem from your own work.

Ready
Press Start

Speaking 2 — Find Out What's Wrong

Roleplay · Round 1

The Delayed Feature

Take turns being Role A and Role B. Role A asks short questions to find out what's wrong, why, what the impact is, what the plan is, when things will be ready, and how to help. Use at least 5 chunks from the lesson.

Role A — the manager
  • You heard a feature is late
  • Find out: the problem, the cause, the impact, the plan, the timing
  • Finish by offering help
Role B — the engineer
  • Cause: a key test server crashed twice
  • Impact: launch might slip by five days
  • Plan: moving two people to fix it
  • Timing: stable by Wednesday
  • You need: approval for weekend work
Roleplay · Round 2 — Swap

The Late Banners

Swap roles. New situation, new facts — don't repeat the first round.

Role A — the event lead
  • The conference is in three days
  • The banners haven't arrived
  • Find out: the problem, the cause, the risk, the plan, the timing
  • Finish by offering help
Role B — the coordinator
  • Cause: the printer had a machine breakdown
  • Risk: the banners might arrive after the opening
  • Plan: calling a second printer today
  • Timing: delivery on Thursday evening
  • You need: a bigger budget for express delivery

Speaking 3 — Your Next Three Weeks

Free Speaking

The Future Update

Talk for one to two minutes about your real work over the next three weeks: your plans, your meetings, your risks, and what you'll have finished by the end. Tap each form when you use it.

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