Have you ever been in a hurry for something or to get somewhere? Was someone in front of you, slowing you down? Did you just want to tell them to hurry up?
No doubt we have all been in that situation, however telling someone to hurry up incorrectly could make them upset. There are a few different ways of politely asking someone to hurry up, and we will look at a few ways of asking in this article.
1. Directly asking them to hurry up.
2. Or implying that they should hurry up.
Let’s look at the direct method and some examples. Parents only use some of these phrases towards their children or employers towards their employees.
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The Direct Method
- Excuse me, but I am running very late for my next appointment and would appreciate it if you could go quicker.
- Please, if possible could you move a little faster, I am on a tight schedule today.
For Employers
- I need you to get a move along.
- You’re a bit behind schedule and need to get moving.
- Please, can you speed up, you are holding everyone up!
- You need to go faster.
- Please try to finish up in the next few minutes.
- We need it no later than the end of (date/time).
- You need to have it finished by (time).
For Parents
- Get a wriggle on.
- Please, get a move on.
- Don’t dawdle.
- Stop messing around and hurry up.
The Indirect or implying method
- It looks like you are having some trouble, can I help you maybe?
- I don’t have much time today.
- What seems to be the holdup?
- Wow! Is that the time, I need to a get a move on!
- It seems like you need some help with that.
- Would you like me to assist you?
It doesn’t matter what method you use, the key to saying these phrases is using the correct tone of voice. Too aggressive and you will likely cause an argument, too soft and the person will probably not care or understand your hurry.
In an Email for Business
Dear (name of person),
Thank you for your help with the ABC project. Our deadline is fast approaching, and we need to submit the proposal no later than the third of May.
I need you to please finish the business plan no later than the close of business today so that it can be revised before it’s sent on Thursday.
Please reply to this email so that I know you have received it.
Kind regards
Your name.
Another example
Dear (name of person),
It has come to my attention that the project is behind schedule due to a delay on your part. Could you please clarify what is causing the delay and try to finalize the matter by the (date) as we are running out of time.
Kind Regards
(Name.)
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Sample conversation about different ways of saying hurry up in business:
Client: Hi Tom, I am calling because I am concerned your workers will not be finished in time.
Manager: Hi Jeff. Yes, we are running a little behind schedule, unfortunately, and the job may take another day.
Client: Tom, we can’t afford to wait another day. As you know, we have stopped our operations to allow your company to do the work within the agreed time frame.
The work needs to be completed by this Friday as was decided otherwise we would lose money and have to charge a penalty cost from your company for not having finished on time. Please, we need you to get a move on!
Manager: I understand Jeff, let me call the Supervisor on-site and see what we can do to speed things along. One thing that might help is another few hours access to the work site after six pm, is that possible?
Client: Yes, I can arrange an employee to provide access from today and be on hand for anything needed for another two hours for the rest of the week.
Manager: OK, I think that will allow us to make up the lost time and finish by the set date. Let me call the Supervisor on site to advise him of the increased access.
Client: Great, thanks.
Another example
Manager: Hi Peter, it’s Tom. I just got a call from Jeff who needs us to get a move on with the work.
On-site Supervisor: Hi Tom, as I told you we can’t get it finished without more time.
Manager: I understand, so I asked Jeff if we could have a few more hours access to the site after six pm.
He has agreed and will arrange one of his employees to be on hand to provide the access needed. You need to have the job finished by the contract date otherwise we will be penalized.
On-site Supervisor: OK. I will tell the workers to get a wriggle on with the work then.
This is just one example of asking someone politely to hurry up; there are many situations where you may need to use one of the phrases mentioned, both in business and your personal life, just remember to be polite!
Will this article help you speed things up in the future? If so, leave us your comment below. Don’t forget to check out our other articles on the website also.
The right word to use when writing is ” please expedite”.
I have a friend and we are on facetime. I had to leave to eat dinner with my family and when I got back she was in a new game! we were in the middle of another game when I left and she keeps telling me she is almost done but it’s been 20 minutes! how do I get her to hurry up?