Lesson 2: Identifying Constraints and Limits

Key Phrases

Basic patterns:

We're limited by [constraint]

That would be difficult because [reason]

Unfortunately, we're not able to [action]

We don't have much flexibility on [issue]

This falls outside [boundary / policy]

Additional expressions:

We're constrained by [limitation]

It would be challenging to [action]

We wouldn't be able to [action] because [reason]

There's limited room for [change]

We're restricted by [policy / budget / timeline]

That creates challenges for us

This poses significant challenges for [process / production]

Example Sentences

We're limited by our current production capacity.

That would be difficult because of our existing commitments.

Unfortunately, we're not able to extend the payment period beyond 45 days.

We don't have much flexibility on pricing due to fixed costs.

This falls outside what we're able to approve under current policy.

We're constrained by internal regulations.

It would be challenging to adjust the scope under the current agreement.

We wouldn't be able to meet that deadline because of resource limitations.

There's limited room for movement on delivery dates.

Moving to higher specifications would pose significant challenges for our production process.

Dialog: Deadlines & Delivery Timelines

Buyer: At this stage, our main concern is the delivery schedule.

Supplier: We're limited by our current production capacity.

Buyer: Could we explore whether there's room to move on the delivery date?

Supplier: We might be able to reduce delivery by one week; however, we wouldn't be able to go beyond that.

Buyer: That sounds reasonable. This would help us meet our internal deadlines.

Supplier: Then it sounds like we're aligned on the revised timeline.

Variation:

Buyer: Our main concern at the moment is the delivery schedule of 8 weeks.

Supplier: We are limited by our production capacity right now.

Buyer: Is there any possibility to bring the delivery date forward?

Supplier: We could perhaps reduce it by one week, to 7 weeks, but we cannot do more than that because of current orders.

Buyer: That seems acceptable. It would help us meet our own internal deadlines for assembly.

Supplier: Good. Then we are agreed on the new timeline of 7 weeks.