What happens in the video
Hana starts the day with a plan that sounds very relaxed: coffee first, then a long lunch. Theo asks the obvious question: where does the actual work go? Later Theo says "What's first? I'm ready," and Hana gives a real order, the client emails and then the call, but Theo has already put lunch at ten thirty.
1 What's first?
Tone Casual and ready
Ask this when you're ready to start and want to know which task comes first. It's friendly and quick. In a very formal meeting, "Where should we start?" sounds more polite.
What's first, boss?
For example:
A: Okay, the coffee's ready. What's first?
B: The client emails. Then we prepare for the call.
2 Put it on the list.
Tone Friendly, saves it for later
Use it when someone has a good idea or task that isn't for right now. It means "we won't forget it, but we'll do it later." Don't use it for something urgent.
Put it on the list.
For example:
A: We should also update the website photos.
B: Good idea. Put it on the list.
A: Done. I'll add it for Friday.
3 Let's keep it simple.
Tone Calm but firm
Say this when a plan has too many parts and you want an easy version with only a few steps. It sounds calm but clear. If you say it too often, it can sound like you don't want to hear new ideas.
Now, Randy, let's keep it simple.
For example:
A: We could add a survey, a video, and a second meeting.
B: Let's keep it simple. One email and one call.
4 What's next?
Tone Neutral and focused
Use it after you finish one task and want the next one. It works at work and at home. It doesn't work at the very start of the day, because nothing has come before it.
For example:
A: I sent all the emails.
B: Great. What's next?
A: The call with the client at eleven.
5 That can wait.
Tone Relaxed, sets priorities
Use it to say a task isn't important right now. It's polite between coworkers. Be careful with a manager's request, because it can sound like you don't care about the task.
For example:
A: Should I clean up the shared folder now?
B: That can wait. Let's finish the report first.
6 Let's do the hard part first.
Tone Practical and motivated
Say this when you want to finish the most difficult task while you still have energy. It suggests a plan for the team. Don't use it when an easier task is more urgent.
For example:
A: Do we start with the budget or the slides?
B: Let's do the hard part first. The budget.
7 Can we move this to the afternoon?
Tone Polite request
Use it to ask if a task or meeting can happen later in the day. The question form makes it polite. If you're the one deciding, you can simply say "Let's do this in the afternoon."
For example:
A: The team meeting is at nine.
B: Can we move this to the afternoon? I have the client call at nine thirty.
A: Sure. Let's say two o'clock.
8 Where does lunch fit in?
Tone Light, practical
Ask this when you're looking at a busy plan and want to find a place for a break or a task. You can change "lunch" to any task. It's casual, so in formal planning say "When should we schedule lunch?"
For example:
A: Emails until ten, then the call until twelve.
B: Where does lunch fit in?
A: Right after the call.
Common mistakes
-
Not quite
What's the first?Better What's first?
In this short question, "first" works alone and means "the first task." Adding "the" without a noun sounds unfinished. You can also say "What's the first task?"
-
Not quite
Put it in the list.Better Put it on the list.
English uses "on" for things written on a list, like "on the menu" or "on the agenda." "In the list" is used less often and doesn't sound natural in this phrase.
-
Not quite
Let's keep it simply.Better Let's keep it simple.
After "keep it," English uses an adjective that describes "it," like "keep it short" or "keep it clean." "Simply" is an adverb, so it doesn't fit here.
Quick quiz
Choose your answer for each question, then open the answer to check it.
-
You just arrived at work and want to know which task to start with. What do you say?
- What's first?
- What's next?
- That can wait.
Show the answer (Question 1)
Answer: What's first? "What's first?" asks about the starting task, while "What's next?" follows a finished task.
-
A coworker suggests a good idea, but there's no time for it today. What's the best reply?
- Let's do the hard part first.
- Put it on the list.
- What's first?
Show the answer (Question 2)
Answer: Put it on the list. "Put it on the list" saves the idea for later without rejecting it.
-
What does "Let's keep it simple" mean?
- Let's do it very fast.
- Let's use an easy plan with few parts.
- Let's stop working on it.
Show the answer (Question 3)
Answer: Let's use an easy plan with few parts. "Simple" means easy, with few parts, so the speaker wants fewer steps.
-
Which line is a polite request to do something later in the day?
- That can wait.
- Can we move this to the afternoon?
- Let's keep it simple.
Show the answer (Question 4)
Answer: Can we move this to the afternoon? The question form asks for agreement, so it sounds polite.
-
Which sentence is correct?
- Put it in the list.
- Let's keep it simply.
- Put it on the list.
Show the answer (Question 5)
Answer: Put it on the list. Things are written "on" a list, and "keep it" needs the adjective "simple."
Questions learners ask
Is "What's first?" polite enough for work?
Yes, it's fine with coworkers and in most friendly workplaces. It sounds ready and positive. In a very formal meeting, you can say "Where should we start?" instead.
What's the difference between "What's first?" and "What's next?"
"What's first?" asks about the task that starts the day or the project. "What's next?" asks about the task after the one you just finished. In the Short, Theo asks "What's first?" because the work hasn't started yet.
Can "Let's keep it simple" sound rude?
It's usually calm and fine. The tone is firm, so it can sound like you're stopping other people's ideas if you say it too often. Adding a short reason helps, for example "Let's keep it simple, we only have an hour."
Is it "put it on the list" or "add it to the list"?
Both are correct and mean almost the same thing. "Put it on the list" is a little more casual. "Add it to the list" is common in written messages and at work.
Film lines are short quotes used for language teaching. The dialogue belongs to its rightsholders. Hana and Theo are animated characters made with Google Flow.
