What happens in the video
Hana wants to see a client, but Theo is still busy with a presentation. First she says "Hurry up, Theo," and he says he's choosing a font that says sorry. In the second scene, Hana says "We should get moving, Theo. The client is waiting," and Theo is ready, with the presentation cut down to ninety slides.
1 Whenever you're ready.
Tone Polite, patient nudge
Use it when someone is slow and you want them to start without pushing hard. It sounds kind, but they'll know you've been waiting. Don't use it in a real emergency, because it sounds too relaxed.
Whenever you're ready.
For example:
A: Sorry, I'm still looking for my notes.
B: Whenever you're ready.
A: Okay, found them. Let's start.
2 We should get moving.
Tone Friendly team nudge
Use it when you and the other person need to leave or start something together. "We" makes it a shared plan, not an order. It works with friends, family, and coworkers.
Well, then, we should get moving.
For example:
A: The train leaves at six.
B: Then we should get moving.
A: Right. I'll get my coat.
3 We're running out of time.
Tone Serious and urgent
Use it when a deadline is close and the delay could cause a real problem. If you use it for a small delay, it can sound dramatic or stressful.
We're running out of time.
For example:
A: Can we check the report one more time?
B: We're running out of time. It's due in ten minutes.
A: Okay, let's send it now.
4 Let's pick up the pace.
Tone Light, encouraging push
Use it when a group is working or walking too slowly. It's friendly and active. It can sound like a coach or a team leader, so it fits less well with a manager or a client.
For example:
A: We've only finished half the boxes.
B: Let's pick up the pace. We can take a break after.
5 Are you nearly done?
Tone Gentle check-in
Use it to ask about progress without giving an order. It's a soft question, so the other person can give you an update. Avoid saying it many times in a row, or it starts to sound impatient.
For example:
A: Are you nearly done?
B: Two more minutes.
A: Great, I'll wait in the car.
6 Could we speed things up a little?
Tone Polite and direct
Use it in a meeting or at work when a process is too slow. "Could" and "a little" make the request softer. It works well with people you don't know well.
For example:
A: Could we speed things up a little? We have another meeting at three.
B: Of course. Let's skip to the last point.
7 We need to leave in five minutes.
Tone Clear and practical
Use it when you want to give a fixed time instead of a vague push. A clear time helps people plan. Change the number to fit the situation.
For example:
A: We need to leave in five minutes.
B: Okay, I'll finish my coffee in the car.
8 No rush, but the taxi is here.
Tone Soft with a hint
Use "No rush, but..." when you want to sound relaxed but still share a fact that means the person should hurry. Don't use it when you really are in a rush and need them to move fast.
For example:
A: No rush, but the taxi is here.
B: Oh! Coming now.
9 Time to go.
Tone Short and friendly
Use it with family, friends, or close coworkers when it's clearly time to leave. It's short, so your voice matters. A warm tone sounds friendly, and a sharp tone sounds like an order.
For example:
A: Time to go.
B: Already? Okay, let me say goodbye.
Common mistakes
-
Not quite
We should get move.Better We should get moving.
The fixed phrase is "get moving," with the -ing form. "Get move" is not correct English.
-
Not quite
We're running out the time.Better We're running out of time.
Use "run out of" before the thing you have less of. You don't need "the" before "time" in this phrase.
-
Not quite
Saying "We're running out of time" when a friend is two minutes late for coffee.Better Are you nearly done? or Whenever you're ready.
"We're running out of time" sounds serious and urgent. For a small delay, a softer line fits better and keeps the mood calm.
Quick quiz
Choose your answer for each question, then open the answer to check it.
-
Your coworker is slowly getting ready to present. You want to be patient but show you're waiting. What do you say?
- We're running out of time.
- Whenever you're ready.
- Time to go.
Show the answer (Question 1)
Answer: Whenever you're ready. "Whenever you're ready" is a patient, polite nudge that still shows you're waiting.
-
Why does "We should get moving" sound friendly?
- It uses "we," so it's a shared plan.
- It gives an exact time.
- It is a question.
Show the answer (Question 2)
Answer: It uses "we," so it's a shared plan. "We" puts you in the situation together, so it sounds like teamwork, not an order.
-
The report is due in ten minutes and it isn't finished. Which line fits best?
- No rush, but the taxi is here.
- Are you nearly done?
- We're running out of time.
Show the answer (Question 3)
Answer: We're running out of time. This line is serious and urgent, so it fits a deadline that really matters.
-
Which line is the most polite way to ask a meeting to go faster?
- Hurry up.
- Could we speed things up a little?
- Time to go.
Show the answer (Question 4)
Answer: Could we speed things up a little? "Could" and "a little" make the request soft, which suits a meeting.
-
What does "No rush, but the taxi is here" really mean?
- Take as long as you want.
- Please come soon, because the taxi is waiting.
- The taxi is late.
Show the answer (Question 5)
Answer: Please come soon, because the taxi is waiting. "No rush, but..." sounds relaxed, but the fact after "but" tells the person to hurry.
Questions learners ask
Is "hurry up" rude in English?
Not always. With close friends or family, "Hurry up" said in a warm voice is normal. At work, or with people you don't know well, it can sound bossy. Lines like "We should get moving" or "Could we speed things up a little?" are safer.
What does "Whenever you're ready" mean?
It means "Start when you're ready." The words are kind, but people often say it when they've been waiting, so it also works as a gentle push. Your tone decides whether it sounds patient or a little impatient.
What's a polite way to tell a group to hurry?
Use "we" so it sounds like a shared plan: "We should get moving" or "Let's pick up the pace." If time is really short, give a clear time, such as "We need to leave in five minutes."
What's the difference between "We should get moving" and "We're running out of time"?
"We should get moving" is a friendly suggestion to start or leave now. "We're running out of time" is stronger and means a deadline is close and there could be a problem. Save the second one for moments when time really matters.
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.
