A new contact writes: “I think we should work together!” You are curious, but you do not yet know what that means. Are they asking for advice, a one-hour meeting, or weeks of work? Rather than guessing or agreeing too quickly, ask four simple questions.
The Big Idea
“What do you have in mind?” means “What idea are you thinking about?” It is a friendly way to ask for details. After that, confirm the goal, who it helps, what is involved, and when it would happen.
10 Useful English Phrases
| English | Spanish · Español |
|---|---|
| What did you have in mind? | ¿Qué tenías en mente? |
| What is the main goal? | ¿Cuál es el objetivo principal? |
| Who is this for? | ¿A quién va dirigido? |
| Could you give me a quick example? | ¿Podrías darme un ejemplo rápido? |
| What would my role be? | ¿Cuál sería mi función? |
| How much time would it take? | ¿Cuánto tiempo llevaría? |
| Are we talking about a one-time project? | ¿Estamos hablando de un proyecto puntual? |
| What would be included? | ¿Qué incluiría? |
| When would you like to start? | ¿Cuándo te gustaría empezar? |
| Could you send me a short summary? | ¿Podrías enviarme un resumen breve? |
Real Conversation — Try It Out
MAYA: “I think our teams could make something useful together.”
JORDAN: “That sounds interesting. What did you have in mind?”
MAYA: “Maybe a short online session for new learners.”
JORDAN: “What is the goal, and who is the session for?”
MAYA: “To help beginners practise making requests.”
JORDAN: “Great. What would my role be, and how much time would it take?”
MAYA: “I can send you a simple outline with those details.”
JORDAN: “Perfect. Then I can check whether it fits my schedule.”
Problem → Need → Request
Problem: Someone has invited me to a project, but the details are unclear.
Need: I need to understand what is involved.
Request: Could you explain the goal, my role and the expected timeline?
Before You Go
- Write down the idea as you understand it.
- Prepare one question about the intended audience.
- Think about your available time.
- Check whether payment, ownership or permissions need discussion.
- Agree to a next conversation, not an undefined commitment.
Your Three-Round Speaking Mission
- Say “What did you have in mind?” slowly and naturally.
- Ask two questions about the goal and your role.
- Summarize the proposed project in one sentence and ask if you understood it correctly.
Surprise Round
The person says, “It will not take long.” Ask for a more specific estimate without accusing them of being unclear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “What do you have in mind?” rude?
No. In an appropriate tone it is a normal, friendly question about someone’s idea.
Does asking about time sound selfish?
No. Knowing the expected effort helps everyone plan responsibly.
Is a short summary the same as a contract?
No. It helps clarify ideas; formal commitments may require separate terms.
