What happens in the video
Hana is busy, and Marco wants to tell a long story about bread. At first Hana says, "I don't have time for your bread story. Just the bread," and Marco asks, "So no story?" Then Hana tries again: "I can't right now, Marco. Tell me after lunch." Marco is happy and says that by then, it will be a story in three parts.
1 I can't right now.
Tone Soft and friendly
Use it when someone asks for your time and you want to say a kind no that means maybe later. Add a later time if you can, because the line alone can sound unfinished.
Look. I can't right now.
For example:
A: Do you want to hear about my weekend?
B: I can't right now. Tell me at lunch?
A: Sure, see you then.
2 I'm tied up now.
Tone Polite and busy
This one works well at work. It means you're busy with something at the moment, like a call or a task. Avoid it when you're clearly free, because people will notice.
I'm tied up now.
For example:
A: Can you look at this report?
B: I'm tied up now. Can I check it at three?
A: Three is fine.
3 I'm swamped right now.
Tone Honest, very busy
Swamped means you have too much work. Use it with coworkers and friends when you're honestly overloaded. It's informal, so choose a softer line for a formal email to a client.
Look. I'm swamped right now.
For example:
A: Can you help me plan the party?
B: I'm swamped right now. Maybe next week?
4 Now's not a good time.
Tone Calm and direct
Use it when the timing is the problem, for example when someone calls during a meeting. Said with a flat voice, it can sound cold, so add a later option.
For example:
A: Hi, do you have a minute?
B: Now's not a good time. Can I call you tonight?
5 I'm in the middle of something.
Tone Neutral, focused
Use it when you're doing a task and don't want to stop. It's fine for friends, family, and coworkers. It doesn't say when you'll be free, so give a time if the other person needs one.
For example:
A: Can you come here for a second?
B: I'm in the middle of something. Give me ten minutes.
A: Okay.
6 Can we talk later?
Tone Friendly, open
Use it when you want to have the conversation, just not now. It sounds polite in almost any situation. Don't use it if you never plan to talk, because the person will ask again.
For example:
A: I need to tell you something about the trip.
B: Can we talk later? I'm about to drive.
A: Of course.
7 Can I get back to you?
Tone Polite, professional
Use it at work when someone asks a question you can't answer now. It means you'll reply later, so make sure you do.
For example:
A: What do you think of the new schedule?
B: Can I get back to you this afternoon?
8 I've got a lot on my plate right now.
Tone Honest, a bit tired
Use it to explain that you have many tasks or problems. It's informal and works with people you know. It's a good way to refuse extra work without sounding lazy.
For example:
A: Can you join the new project?
B: I'd like to, but I've got a lot on my plate right now.
9 Can it wait until after lunch?
Tone Polite, practical
Use it when the request is fine but the timing isn't. It asks the other person to choose, so it sounds respectful. Don't use it for something urgent.
For example:
A: I have a question about the invoice.
B: Can it wait until after lunch?
A: Yes, no problem.
10 I'm a bit busy at the moment.
Tone Soft and polite
Use it in almost any setting, including with people you don't know well. "A bit" makes it gentle. It also works well in writing.
For example:
A: Could you help me move this table?
B: I'm a bit busy at the moment. Is five okay?
Common mistakes
-
Not quite
I don't have time for your story.Better I can't right now. Tell me after lunch.
The first line is grammatical but can sound like the person isn't important. The second line puts the problem on the timing and offers a later time.
-
Not quite
I'm tied now.Better I'm tied up now.
Tied up is a fixed phrase that means busy. Without up, the sentence sounds like you're tied with a rope.
-
Not quite
I'm swamping right now.Better I'm swamped right now.
Swamped is an adjective here, like busy or tired. You are swamped; the work swamps you.
Quick quiz
Choose your answer for each question, then open the answer to check it.
-
A friend wants to chat, and you want to talk later. Which line sounds kind?
- I don't have time for you.
- I can't right now. Tell me at lunch?
- Go away.
Show the answer (Question 1)
Answer: I can't right now. Tell me at lunch? It says no for now and offers a later time.
-
What does "I'm swamped" mean?
- I'm wet.
- I have too much work.
- I'm bored.
Show the answer (Question 2)
Answer: I have too much work. Swamped means you have more work than you can handle right now.
-
Your manager asks for help while you're on a call. Which line fits best?
- I'm tied up now. Can I help at three?
- I'm swamping.
- Not interested.
Show the answer (Question 3)
Answer: I'm tied up now. Can I help at three? Tied up is polite and common at work, and the time makes it helpful.
-
Which line asks the other person to agree to a later time?
- I'm in the middle of something.
- Can it wait until after lunch?
- I'm swamped right now.
Show the answer (Question 4)
Answer: Can it wait until after lunch? It's a question, so the other person can say yes or explain that it's urgent.
-
Which line is the most informal?
- I'm a bit busy at the moment.
- Can I get back to you?
- I've got a lot on my plate right now.
Show the answer (Question 5)
Answer: I've got a lot on my plate right now. "A lot on my plate" is an informal image for having many tasks.
Questions learners ask
Is "I don't have time" rude in English?
It isn't always rude, but it can sound cold, especially with "for you" or "for this." It can sound like the person or the topic doesn't matter. Lines like "I can't right now" talk about the timing instead, so they sound softer.
What does "tied up" mean?
"I'm tied up" means you're busy with something and can't stop. People often use it at work, for example during a meeting or call. Add a time, like "I'm tied up until four," to make it more useful.
How do I say I'm busy in a professional email?
Use calm, clear lines such as "I'm a bit busy at the moment" or "Can I get back to you this afternoon?" Avoid informal words like "swamped" with clients or people you don't know well. Always say when you'll reply.
How can I say no but mean maybe later?
Say "I can't right now" and then give a time, like "Tell me after lunch." You can also ask "Can we talk later?" or "Can it wait until after lunch?" These lines keep the door open.
Film lines are short quotes used for language teaching. The dialogue belongs to its rightsholders. Hana and Marco are animated characters made with Google Flow.
