Courses/CELPIP Vocabulary & Collocations Kit/Functional Language - Describing Problems & Asking for Help

#79. Functional Language - Describing Problems & Asking for Help

Words (Core Vocabulary)

  • issue / problem / error / glitch
  • urgent / high priority / blocking
  • symptoms / frequency / pattern / steps to reproduce
  • started / since / after / during
  • impact / can’t / slowed / unsafe
  • troubleshoot / try / restart / reset
  • ticket / case / reference number
  • ETA / timeline / escalation

Phrases (Frame → details → ask → confirm)

Opening/frame

  • I’m having trouble with [thing].
  • Since yesterday, I can’t [action].
  • This is blocking [task/outcome].

Details

  • It started after [change/time].
  • It happens [how often] when I [steps].
  • I’ve tried [steps] but no luck.

Ask for help

  • Could you take a look and advise next steps?
  • What’s the ETA for a fix or workaround?
  • Can we escalate if not resolved by [time]?

Close

  • Screenshots/logs attached.
  • Thanks—happy to test a fix.

Contextual Examples (Natural, everyday)

  • Tech support: Since the update, the app crashes on login. Tried reinstalling; still failing. **Case #**1234.
  • Housing: The sink is leaking under the cabinet—happens after running hot water. Could we get a work order?
  • School: I’m struggling with citations—could I book 15 minutes for help?

Collocations & Phrases (bold the key words)

  • describe symptoms
  • list steps to reproduce
  • attach evidence (photos/logs)
  • request a work order/ticket
  • set an ETA
  • escalate if blocking

Canadian Cultural Context

  • Clear, short descriptions + proof (photos/screens) speed things up.
  • Service desks often need a ticket numbernote it for follow-ups.

Extra Mini-Patterns (plug-and-play)

  • Template: Issue:Impact:Since:Tried:Ask/ETA: …”
  • Escalation: “If not resolved by noon, could we escalate or switch to a workaround?”
  • Work order: Please create a work order and confirm the window.”
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