These are some useful phrases for making and changing appointments in “neutral” and informal situations.
Use neutral phrases in most general and business situations; and informal phrases for close colleagues, friends and family members. But remember: many of these phrases can be used in more than one situation. Use what other people say to you as a guide.
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Asking To Meet
Neutral phrases
“Are you available on the 17th?”
“Would Friday suit you?”
“Is next Tuesday convenient for you?”
“Can we meet on the 16th?”
“How does the 3rd sound to you?” (also with friends and colleagues)
“Are you free next week?” (also with friends and colleagues)
Informal phrases
“What about sometime next week?”
“What are you doing next weekend?”
“Fancy coming out tomorrow evening?”
Agreeing On A Date
Neutral phrases
“Yes, Thursday is fine.” (also with friends and colleagues)
“Thursday suits me.”
“Thursday would be perfect.”
Informal phrases
Yes, Thursday’s great for me.
Yes, sounds good to me.
Suggesting A Different Date
Neutral phrases
“I’m sorry, I won’t be able to make it on Monday. Could we meet on Tuesday instead?”
“Ah, Wednesday is going to be a little difficult. I’d much prefer Friday, if that’s alright with you.”
“I’m afraid I can’t on the 3rd. What about the 6th?” (also with friends / colleagues)
“I really don’t think I can on the 17th. Can we meet up on the 19th?” (also with friends / colleagues)
Informal phrases
“No – that’s no good for me. What are you doing Friday?”
Setting A Time
Neutral phrases
“What sort of time would suit you?”
“Is 3pm a good time for you?”
“If possible, I’d like to meet in the morning.”
“How does 2pm sound to you?”
Informal phrases
“OK. Let’s say at around 2.”
“Cool. Let’s make it at 2.”
Changing The Arrangement
Neutral phrases
“I’m very sorry, but something urgent has come up and I won’t be able to meet you.”
“I’m afraid that I’m not going to be able to meet you after all. Can we fix another time?”
“Something has just cropped up and I won’t be able to meet you this afternoon. Can we make another time?”
Informal phrases
“Look, I’m sorry to do this to you, but I can’t meet up tomorrow.”
Need to make a business appointment?
Check out these useful ways to make, change or cancel an appointment by email.
Making Appointments
Choose the correct answer.
To see more phrases for making dates with friends, check out our exercise!
