BUSINESS ENGLISH · B1–C1 practice support

协商可行时间

Explain a timing problem and agree a workable alternative.

更新 2026-09-23 · SpeakBEC 编辑项目

5 分钟练习10 分钟练习15 分钟练习自评挑战
15 min · 完整学习材料

协商可行时间

Explain a timing problem and agree a workable alternative.

第二天,客户增加了订单数量,需要新报价。Nina 想三点前拿到,但新的配送报价还没来。你能四点前完成,需要协商而不是直接答应。

1 · 先听见真实对话

Nina: Could you get the quote to me by three?

Orange: I’m still waiting for the delivery price. I can get it to you by four. Would that work?

Nina: My call’s at half past three. Could you send the product prices first?

Orange: Yes, I can send those by three and follow up with delivery by four.

Nina: Great. Please make it clear that delivery is still to be confirmed.

Orange: Will do.

2 · 理解表达在这里做了什么

I’m still waiting for …

Explain the specific thing that is holding you up.

I’m still waiting for the delivery price.

A short, relevant reason can help the other person find a solution. “I’m busy” gives them less to work with. 说明在等什么,给对方协商所需的信息。

Would that work?

Ask whether your suggestion fits the other person’s needs.

I can get it to you by four. Would that work?

“Would four work?” is natural too. This checks suitability, not whether someone is able to work. 问“这个安排合适吗”,不是问对方能不能工作。

follow up with …

Provide the remaining information later.

I can send those by three and follow up with delivery by four.

Here “follow up with delivery” means send the delivery information. It does not promise physical delivery by four. 此处指补发配送报价,不是四点前把货送到。

3 · 跟读后,换成自己的信息

I’m still waiting for the delivery price. I can get it to you by four. Would that work?

Yes, I can send those by three and follow up with delivery by four.

Will do.

保留沟通意图,换掉人物、文件或时间。简单而准确的句子同样有效。

4 · 接住对方的话

Could you get the quote to me by three?

Explain the delay and offer four.

查看一种可行回答

I’m still waiting for the delivery price. I can get it to you by four. Would that work?

My call’s at half past three. Could you send the product prices first?

Offer the ready information first and the rest later.

查看一种可行回答

Yes, I can send those by three and follow up with delivery by four.

Great. Please make it clear that delivery is still to be confirmed.

Acknowledge the specific request.

查看一种可行回答

Will do. I’ll mark delivery as still to be confirmed.

5 · 换一个情境,再试一次

A colleague needs a sales update for a ten-thirty meeting. Your sales figures are ready, but the returns figures will not be ready until noon. It is now ten.

Can you send me the full sales update by ten fifteen?
Explain what is missing and offer a realistic alternative.

The meeting’s at ten thirty. Could you send the sales figures first?
Agree what can be sent before the meeting and when to send the rest.

Thanks. Could you flag that the returns figures are still pending?
Confirm how you will label the missing information.

6 · 明天不看答案,再想一次

You can finish a task an hour later than requested. Offer a realistic time and check whether it works for your colleague.