Polite Ways to Ask Someone to Act Quickly

Whether you're in a professional setting or dealing with personal matters, there may be instances where you need someone to act quickly. A well-crafted request can help ensure that your efforts are met with cooperation and timely response.

Understanding the Importance of Timeliness

Timeliness is crucial in both professional and personal contexts. Whether it's a work deadline or a personal favor, being able to communicate your urgency effectively can help prevent delays and ensure that everything is completed on schedule.

Professional Politeness

In a professional setting, politeness is paramount. When making a request for quick action, it's important to be courteous and respectful, while also conveying the urgency of the situation. Here’s how you can craft your request:

Well, you would start with 'Please [Name], I really need this done by [Deadline] due to the urgency of the company. This is important because we cannot afford a delay. Could you please observe the deadline closely to ensure that everything is done for submission by [Submission Date]? Thanks a lot for your full cooperation.'

Non-Professional Contexts

In less formal settings, you can be more direct but still maintain a polite tone. Here are some examples:

'Hey! I would really need you to get it done before it ends; it could help me lots! Thank you again for being on this!'

Expressions of Urgency

Using polite phrasing and acknowledging the recipient's workload can help you convey your urgency in a respectful manner. Here are some expressions you can use:

"Please hurry along, [Sir/Madam], that's it, that's the way, very good, most sprightly, now yes, yes you're doing very well—if you could pick it up a little bit more though—oh yes, you’re doing much better now—just a little faster, please we are terribly rushed—that’s it, yes, yes, marvelous—just a tiny bit faster, we mustn’t dawdle. I do believe they’re about to release the hounds, they haven’t been fed in a week, you know—oh yes, that’s it, now we’re moving."

This works best if you can speak it in an affected manner like that of John Cleese in his Monty Python days.

Expressing Urgency in Different Contexts

It’s all in the tone. Here are some examples of expressions you can use, depending on who you are addressing:

"C’mon now."

"Let’s go."

"Hurry on up."

"Do it fast - give reason."

"Skidattle."

"Faster! "

"Go on ahead and hurry."

"Make haste."

"Get going."

"Get this show on the road."

"I don’t have all day, dear."

"If you don’t mind, can we speed this up because [Reason]?"

Situational Adaptability

The way you say it can vary depending on whether you are addressing a child, an elder, or a peer. Here are some tips:

For a child or a peer: "C’mon now. Let’s go. Hurry on up. Do it fast - give reason. Skidattle. Faster! Go on ahead and hurry. Make haste. Get going. Get this show on the road. I don’t have all day, dear. If you don’t mind, can we speed this up because [Reason]?"

For an elder: Explain the consequences if they are late if they are still able to do so. Example: "If we don’t leave soon, I’ll be on the pension. Today would be good. Are we still going/doing… Wow, baby, you look amazing, let’s go."

Conclusion

Communicating urgency effectively is key to ensuring that your requests are met with a prompt and cooperative response. Whether you’re in a professional or personal context, using polite and respectful language can help you achieve your goals without causing unnecessary friction. Remember, the tone and context matter significantly, and your approach should adapt to the relationship and cultural norms of the person you are addressing.