Abstract: A method and system for performing a task in a natural language processing system. The method includes processing text to obtain a numerical encoding, where the text includes a number of entities, where at least one of the entities is tagged with the numerical encoding, and where the text is derived from an utterance. The method further includes determining that the numerical encoding identifies a task, determining a variable required to complete the task using the numerical encoding, and generating a first dialogue sentence to obtain a variable value for the variable, where the variable is associated with a second numerical encoding, where the second numerical encoding includes the numerical encoding. The method further includes transmitting the first dialogue sentence to a user device, receiving the variable value for the variable in response to the first dialogue sentence, and performing the task using the variable value.