New here? This is lesson 155 of a free 240-lesson English course.
Project updates in English
Ana is at the studio downtown. Marcus wants a short library update in three sentences: what is done, what is moving, and what is stuck.
You will name finished work, work still in progress, and the thing blocking you.
You will also say you are on time, and you will promise a short update on Friday.
Keep it short. Marcus does not want a long speech.
By the end of this lesson
Give a short progress update: done, in progress, or blocked.
- The floor plan is finished.The drawing of the rooms is complete.
- The lighting is still in progress.We have started the lighting work, but it is not finished.
- We're waiting on the client's reply.We cannot continue until the client answers.
- That's the main blocker right now.That is the thing stopping our progress.
- We're on schedule for next week.We should finish at the planned time next week.
- I'll send a short update on Friday.On Friday I will tell you how it is going.
Scene — three sentences
Same downtown studio. Ana stands at a long desk with rolled drawings. Marcus holds a set of plans and waits for three short sentences.
The whiteboard behind them is blank. The library renovation is the job. He wants done, in progress, and blocked. After that, he will ask about time and Friday.
Learn — finished, in progress, blocked
Six lines name finished work, work still moving, and the thing that is stuck.
You will also say you are on time and promise a Friday update.
The floor plan is finished.
The drawing of the rooms is complete.
When to use it: Say this when a piece of work is complete.
Finished here means the work is complete, not that you are tired.
Say it: The -ed ending sounds like t.
The lighting is still in progress.
We have started the lighting work, but it is not finished.
When to use it: Say this when you have started the work but it is not done.
In progress means the work is moving, but it is not finished yet.
Say it: The stress in progress is on the first part.
We're waiting on the client's reply.
We cannot continue until the client answers.
When to use it: Say this when you cannot move until someone answers.
Waiting on means you need their answer before you can continue.
That's the main blocker right now.
That is the thing stopping our progress.
When to use it: Say this to name the thing that is stopping the work.
A blocker is the thing that stops progress until it is fixed.
We're on schedule for next week.
We should finish at the planned time next week.
When to use it: Say this when the work is on time.
On schedule means you are on time for the plan, not late.
Say it: The stress in schedule is on the first part.
I'll send a short update on Friday.
On Friday I will tell you how it is going.
When to use it: Say this when you will report again on a later day.
I'll is I will, said as one piece.
Story — the library update
Marcus wants the library update in three sentences. Ana names what is finished, what is moving, and what is stuck.
Then he asks about the schedule and Friday. The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.
- Marcus sets down the rolled drawings. The blank whiteboard waits.
MarcusLet's keep it to thirty minutes.Let's make the meeting short.- MarcusSo, three sentences on the library. What's done?He wants a short update on what is finished.
AnaThe floor plan is finished.The drawing of the rooms is complete.- MarcusGood. And what's still moving?He asks which work is started but not finished.
- AnaThe lighting is still in progress.We have started the lighting work, but it is not finished.
- MarcusOkay. What's stuck?He asks which work cannot move.
- AnaWe're waiting on the client's reply.We cannot continue until the client answers.
- MarcusThat's the main blocker right now.That is the thing stopping the work.
- MarcusThat's the three status sentences. Thanks.He is glad the three status lines were short.
- Marcus looks at the plans, then at Ana. He wants the time, not a story.
- MarcusAre we late?He asks if the work is behind the plan.
- AnaWe're on schedule for next week.We should finish at the planned time next week.
- MarcusKeep it that way. When do I hear from you?Stay on time, and say when you will report next.
- AnaI'll send a short update on Friday.On Friday I will tell you how it is going.
Practice — name the status
Eleven quick exercises wait here. You will listen, pick, match, and build a line.
They stay short, so you can practice a work update fast.
0 of 11 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
English
The floor plan is finished.Drop the Simple English hereThe lighting is still in progress.Drop the Simple English hereWe're waiting on the client's reply.Drop the Simple English hereThat's the main blocker right now.Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
What do you say?
What do you say?
Marcus asks which library work you have started but not finished.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
We're waiting on the client's reply.
Swap the word
Swap the word
Marcus asks what is stopping the work right now.
That's the main ____ right now.
Build the line
Build the line
We should finish at the planned time next week.
.
Tap the words in order.
Pick the reply
Marcus says:
Pick the reply
When will I hear from you again?
He asks when you will report next.
And you reply with:
Swap the word
Swap the word
Marcus asks if the library work is late.
We're ____ schedule for next week.
True or false?
True or false?
This line names the thing that is stopping the work.
What do you say?
What do you say?
You start a work meeting and you want it to stay short.
Swap the word
Swap the word
You will send the list of topics for the meeting.
I'll send you a short ____.
Say it — give the update
Now you are Ana at the studio. Marcus wants a short update. When it is your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.
Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- MarcusWhat's done on the library?He asks which work is complete.
- Ana (you)Tell him the drawing of the rooms is complete.
Tell him the drawing of the rooms is complete.
The floor plan is finished.
The drawing of the rooms is complete.
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| The floor plan is finished. | The drawing of the rooms is complete. | |
| The lighting is still in progress. | We have started the lighting work, but it is not finished. | |
| We're waiting on the client's reply. | We cannot continue until the client answers. | |
| That's the main blocker right now. | That is the thing stopping our progress. | |
| We're on schedule for next week. | We should finish at the planned time next week. | |
| I'll send a short update on Friday. | On Friday I will tell you how it is going. |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these updates handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your status lines ready for a meeting.
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