A client tells you the delay is unacceptable, and you have to answer in English immediately. A long explanation won’t help if what they really want is a clear answer about what happens next.    Alongside the phrases in the post, these are useful to have ready:    🔵 I realise this puts you in a difficult position.  Use it to acknowledge the effect of the delay on the client.    🔵 I can give you a firm answer by [time].  Use it when you can’t confirm the new date yet, but you know when you’ll have one.    🔵 What I can do today is [action].  Use it when the whole job won’t be ready, but you can offer something useful now.    If you learn English for work, this is the kind of business English that helps when you have to respond quickly. And the same pressure comes up in meetings when you’re asked an unexpected question, need to disagree or have to explain a problem.    Want to see how you’d handle 8 real meeting situations in English?    Comment TEST and I’ll send you a free quiz.    #L...