In this Business English lesson, you’ll learn practical phrases for giving progress updates at work.
You’ll see what to say when a project is going well, nearly finished, delayed, waiting for another person or team, or no longer the main priority.
At work, your manager may ask, “Where are we with this?”, “Are we on track?” or “How’s the project going?”
You need to explain clearly what has been completed, what still needs to be done and whether anything is delaying the work.
These phrases are useful in meetings, project calls, conversations with your manager and short workplace updates.
Quick referenceUseful Business English phrases for progress updates
| Situation | Useful phrase |
|---|---|
| Everything is going as planned | We’re on track. |
| You expect to finish on time | We’re on schedule. |
| You expect to finish early | We’re ahead of schedule. |
| The work is late | We’re behind schedule. |
| The work is almost complete | We’re in the final stages. |
| There has been a delay | We’ve fallen behind. |
| Another person or team is delaying progress | We’ve been held up. |
| You need final approval | We’re waiting for sign-off. |
| Work has stopped temporarily | We’ve put it on hold. |
| Something is now a lower priority | It’s on the back burner. |
A simple way to give a progress update
A clear progress update usually covers three things:
- The current situation.
- The reason, if there is a delay.
- The next action or expected date.
We’ve fallen a few days behind because testing took longer than expected. We should be back on track by Wednesday.
Listen to the lesson
Listen to this lesson on Speak Better English with Harry, Episode 598, then read on and build your own progress update.
Listening and reading together makes the phrases much easier to remember.
- Questions you may hear when someone wants an update
- How to give a clear progress update
- When the work is going well
- When the work is nearly finished
- How to explain a delay
- When you’re waiting for another person or team
- When priorities change
- Complete progress update examples
- Small English details to remember
- Practice
- Common questions
Questions you may hear when someone wants a progress update
You won’t always hear the words progress update.
Your manager or colleague may ask:
- Where are we with this?
- How are we getting on with the project?
- How’s the report coming along?
- Are we on track?
- Are we still on schedule?
- Are we close?
- When do you think it’ll be ready?
They all mean the same thing: the person wants to know how the work is going.
Workplace example
Manager: Where are we with the report?
You: We’re in the final stages. I’m checking the figures now, and I’ll send the final version tomorrow morning.
Need phrases for the rest of the meeting — joining a discussion, giving your opinion, asking questions and checking decisions?
English Phrases for Meetings →How to give a clear progress update in Business English
1. Give the current position first
Start by answering the question directly.
- We’re on track.
- We’re in the final stages.
- We’ve fallen a little behind.
- We’re waiting for sign-off.
2. Explain the reason when it matters
If there is a delay or a problem, explain what caused it.
We’ve fallen behind because the testing took longer than expected.
We’ve been held up waiting for the final figures from Finance.
Keep the reason short. The other person usually needs to understand what is affecting the work, not hear the full history of the project.
3. Say what happens next
Say what you’ll do and when.
We should be back on track by Wednesday.
Once we have approval, we can send the final version.
I’ll have the revised figures ready tomorrow morning.
Compare these two updates
We started checking the figures last week and then we had to speak to Finance because there were several things we weren’t sure about, and we’re still looking at some of them…
We’ve fallen two days behind because we’re still checking the Finance figures. We expect to finish on Wednesday.
Business English phrases when the work is going well
We’re on track
Use on track when the work is progressing as planned and you still expect to achieve the result or meet the deadline.
- We’re on track to finish the report by Friday.
- Yes, we’re on track. We should have it ready by the end of the week.
We’re on schedule
Use on schedule when you are specifically talking about timing.
- We’re on schedule to complete testing by 15 September.
We’re ahead of schedule
Use this when the work is progressing faster than planned.
- The team has made good progress, and we’re actually two days ahead of schedule.
Everything’s going to plan
Use this when everything is happening as expected and there haven’t been any significant problems.
- So far, everything’s going to plan. We’ve completed the first two stages and we start testing tomorrow.
On track or on schedule?
The work is progressing as planned and you still expect to finish on time.
The timing matches the planned timetable.
You can use both in one sentence: The project is on track, and we’re still on schedule to launch next month.
Business English phrases when the work is nearly finished
We’re in the final stages
Use this when most of the work is complete but there are still a few things to finish.
- We’re in the final stages now. There are just a few figures left to check.
- The report is in the final stages and should be ready tomorrow.
I’m putting the finishing touches to it
Finishing touches are the final small changes, checks or improvements before something is complete.
- I’m putting the finishing touches to the presentation.
- We’re adding the finishing touches now, and then it’ll be ready to send.
I’m wrapping it up
Wrap something up means finish it. It is more conversational and works well with colleagues.
- I’m just wrapping up the last section now.
- We should wrap this up by the end of the day.
Nearly complete: We’re in the final stages.
Final small changes: I’m putting the finishing touches to it.
More conversational: I’m wrapping it up.
How to say a project is delayed in English
If the work is delayed, explain why and say when you expect to finish.
We’re behind schedule
Use this when the project is running late.
- We’re about three days behind schedule.
- Unfortunately, the project is now two weeks behind schedule.
We’ve fallen behind
Use this when you haven’t completed as much work as planned.
- We’ve fallen a few days behind.
- We’ve fallen behind because the testing took longer than expected.
You can also use the past simple: We fell behind at the beginning of the month, but we’re catching up now.
It’s taking longer than expected
Use this when the task needs more time than you originally planned.
- The review is taking longer than expected because there are more documents to check.
- Testing is taking longer than expected, but we should finish tomorrow.
We’ve run into a problem
Use this when a specific problem is affecting progress.
- We’ve run into a problem with the figures in the final section. We’re checking them now.
We’ve hit a snag
A snag is a small unexpected problem. This expression is informal and is most suitable for colleagues or an internal team.
- We’ve hit a snag with the new software, but IT is looking at it.
We’ve run into a problem with the new software.
Saying when you’ll be back on track
Useful phrases:
- We’ll catch up by [date].
- We’re catching up now.
- We should be back on track by [date].
- We expect to make up the lost time next week.
We’ve fallen a few days behind because we had to repeat some of the tests, but we should be back on track next week.
How would you respond in a real English meeting?
Test yourself with 8 common workplace situations and see which Business English phrases you would choose.
Test Your Meeting English →Business English phrases when you’re waiting for another person or team
We’ve been held up
Use this when you’re delayed because you’re waiting for something from another person or team.
- We’ve been held up waiting for the final figures from Finance.
- The delivery has been held up because we’re still waiting for confirmation from the supplier.
Finance still hasn’t sent us the figures.
We’ve been held up waiting for the final figures from Finance. Once we have them, we can complete the report.
We’re waiting for sign-off
Sign-off means the final approval needed before something can continue, be published or be sent.
- The design is finished. We’re just waiting for sign-off from Legal.
- We’re waiting for final sign-off from the client before we begin.
Sign-off or sign off?
We’re waiting for sign-off.
The director needs to sign off on the proposal.
Once the client signs off on the design, we can proceed.
How to explain changing priorities at work
Priorities have shifted
Use this when another piece of work has become more important.
- Our priorities shifted this week, so we focused on the client work first.
- Priorities have shifted, and the product launch is now our main focus.
We’ve put it on hold
Use on hold when work has temporarily stopped but has not been cancelled.
- We’ve put the recruitment plan on hold until the new budget is approved.
- The office move is on hold while we wait for a final decision from management.
It’s on the back burner
Use this when something is still planned but is no longer an immediate priority.
- We’ve put the marketing work on the back burner while we finish the launch.
- The website redesign is on the back burner for now.
On hold or on the back burner?
The work has stopped for the moment.
It is still on your list, but other work is more important now.
Complete progress update examples for meetings
1. Everything is going well
Manager: Where are we with the client report?
You: We’re on track. The first draft is finished, and we’re checking the figures today. We’ll send the final version on Thursday.
2. The project is delayed
Manager: Are we still on schedule?
You: We’ve fallen about three days behind because testing took longer than expected. The problem is fixed now, and we should be back on track by Wednesday.
3. You’re waiting for approval
Manager: Is the report ready to go?
You: The report itself is finished. We’re waiting for final sign-off from Legal. Once we have that, we can send it to the client.
4. Priorities have changed
Manager: What happened to the website update?
You: We’ve put it on hold until the launch is finished. The launch is our main priority this week, and we’ll return to the website work next Monday.
5. The work is nearly finished
Manager: How’s the presentation coming along?
You: We’re in the final stages. I’m putting the finishing touches to the presentation this afternoon, and it’ll be ready for tomorrow’s meeting.
6. A small problem has appeared
Colleague: Are we still okay for Friday?
You: We’ve hit a small snag with the new software, but IT is looking at it now. We still expect to finish by Friday.
Need Business English phrases for the rest of the meeting?
Speak Up in Meetings gives you practical English for joining discussions, buying time, asking questions, disagreeing carefully, raising concerns and checking what has been agreed.
For face-to-face meetings, Teams and Zoom.
Get Speak Up in Meetings for €17 →A few useful language points
Fall, fell, fallen
- Present: fall behind
- Past: fell behind
- Past participle: fallen behind
We fell behind last week.
We’ve fallen behind.
Finishing touches to something
- I’m putting the finishing touches to the presentation.
Sign-off and sign off on
- We’re waiting for sign-off.
- The client needs to sign off on the final design.
Catch up
Catch up means complete work that should already have been finished.
- We fell behind last week, but we’re catching up now.
Get back on track
This means the work is progressing as planned again after a delay or problem.
- We should be back on track by Monday.
Practice these Business English phrases
Read each situation and say your update aloud, then check it underneath.
1. Your manager asks about a report. Everything is going as planned and the deadline is Friday.
Show answer
We’re on track to finish by Friday.
2. The presentation is almost complete. You only need to check two slides.
Show answer
We’re in the final stages. I just need to check the last two slides.
Or
I’m putting the finishing touches to the presentation now.
3. Testing has taken three days longer than planned.
Show answer
We’ve fallen three days behind because testing took longer than expected. We should be back on track by Thursday.
4. Your work is finished, but the document cannot be sent until the client approves it.
Show answer
The document is ready. We’re just waiting for final sign-off from the client.
5. An urgent client project has become more important than an internal project.
Show answer
Our priorities have shifted, so we’ve put the internal project on hold while we deal with the client work.
Common questions about giving progress updates in English
What does “we’re on track” mean at work?
It means the work is progressing as expected and you still expect to achieve the planned result.
We’re on track to finish by Friday.
What is the difference between “on track” and “on schedule”?
On track describes the general progress of the work.
On schedule focuses specifically on timing.
Everything is on track, and we’re still on schedule to launch in October.
How do I say a project is delayed professionally?
You can say:
- We’re behind schedule.
- We’ve fallen behind.
- It’s taking longer than expected.
When possible, add the reason and the new expected date.
We’ve fallen two days behind because testing took longer than expected. We should finish on Thursday.
What does “waiting for sign-off” mean?
It means the work needs final approval before you can continue, publish it or send it.
We’re waiting for sign-off from the client.
What is the difference between “on hold” and “on the back burner”?
On hold means the work has stopped temporarily.
On the back burner means it is still planned, but it has become a lower priority.
Can I use “we’ve hit a snag” in a formal update?
It is natural workplace English, but it is relatively informal. Use it with colleagues and internal teams.
For a formal update or a client:
We’ve run into a problem with the new software.
Can I use these Business English phrases in emails and Teams messages?
Yes. Most of these phrases work well in short written updates too.
Quick update: we’re still on track for Friday. Testing is finished, and we’re checking the final figures today.
Business English phrases to learn first
Start with these five:
- We’re on track.
- We’re in the final stages.
- We’ve fallen behind.
- We’re waiting for sign-off.
- Our priorities have shifted.
Use them with the real projects, reports, deadlines and tasks you discuss at work.
If you are learning Business English for work, practising a few phrases repeatedly will make them much easier to use when your manager asks for an update.
Use these phrases in your next meeting in English
Choose two situations that happen regularly in your job and prepare one progress-update phrase for each.
For more practical Business English phrases for meetings:
See Speak Up in Meetings →Related Business English lessons
If this lesson was useful, these will help you with the rest of the meeting and with the conversation around your update.
- English Phrases for Meetings Learn useful Business English phrases for joining discussions, giving opinions, asking questions, clarifying information and checking decisions.
- Must-Have English Phrases for Online Meetings Useful workplace English for Teams, Zoom and other online meetings, including joining the conversation, asking someone to repeat something and dealing with technical problems.
- How to Ask for Clarification in English Learn how to check instructions, information and decisions when something is not clear, without sounding rude or uncertain.
- English Idioms for Progress and Speed Learn more English vocabulary connected with progress, timing and speed, with examples showing how the expressions are used.