Free Business English Audio Lesson

Diana: Would you mind helping me with this report? I need to finish it by this evening. 

Roger: I’m afraid I’m too busy to help you today as I’ve got so much work to do myself. 

Diana: It will only take about half an hour. 

Roger: No, I’m sorry, I’d love to help you but I just don’t have time. 

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Situation: Diana asks Roger for some help at work, but he is too busy to help.

Style: polite and professional

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Notes:

1. Would you mind helping me…? 

   (more polite and less direct) 

   = Could you please help me…?

2. this report = this written business document
3. I need to finish it = I have to finish it / it is necessary for me to finish it
4. by this evening = this evening or before this evening
5. I’m afraid 

   (more formal)

    

   = I’m sorry but

6. I’m too busy to help you = I don’t have enough time to help you 
7. as = because 
8. I’ve got so much work to do 

   (informal) 

   = I have so much work that I have to do

9. It will only take = the job will only last for
10. about half an hour = around thirty minutes / approximately half an hour 

    (more formal)

11. I’d love to help = I would love to help 

    (more formal)

    / I’d really like to help you

12. I just don’t have time = I simply don’t have time 

    (more formal)

    / I am too busy 

    (more direct)

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Audio file name: DailyStep-3_business-saying-no-003_GB-01

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Notes:

1. Would you mind helping me…? 

   (more polite and less direct) 

   = Could you please help me…?

2. this report = this written business document
3. I need to finish it = I have to finish it / it is necessary for me to finish it
4. by this evening = this evening or before this evening
5. I’m afraid 

   (more formal)

    

   = I’m sorry but

6. I’m too busy to help you = I don’t have enough time to help you 
7. as = because 
8. I’ve got so much work to do 

   (informal) 

   = I have so much work that I have to do

9. It will only take = the job will only last for
10. about half an hour = around thirty minutes / approximately half an hour 

    (more formal)

11. I’d love to help = I would love to help 

    (more formal)

    / I’d really like to help you

12. I just don’t have time = I simply don’t have time 

    (more formal)

    / I am too busy 

    (more direct)

.

Audio file name: DailyStep-3_business-saying-no-003_GB-01

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