When you need this
A lot of office English isn't about the job at all. It's about the building around the job: where the staples are, who's got the room booked, whether the kitchen is out of milk again, who's leaving early. These lines come up ten times a day, and they're usually short questions with short answers.
Two habits make them sound natural. First, start with "Do you know if..." or "Do you know where...". It's softer than a direct question, and it doesn't assume the other person is responsible. Second, when you take the last of something, say so. "I took the last box of pens, so I've told the office manager" is the kind of line that makes people glad to share a floor with you.
Phrases
a soft question about where something is
where the office keeps pens, paper and so on
there's none left
reserve a meeting room for a time
asks if nobody's using or has reserved it
the room where people eat and rest
asks who handles something
you're leaving the office
says when you'll return
asks if it's okay to put something down
watch something for someone for a while
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Practice · 3 min
Say the line that fits. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.
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Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.