Introduction Making an appointment can be complicated if two people are very busy. How do you find a time that is convenient for both of you?

2. Introduction
 Making an appointment can be
complicated if two people are very busy.
How do you find a time that is convenient
for both of you?

3. Think
 Once again, imagine you are making a
telephone call. This time you are
arranging an appointment to see
someone. What phrases might you use or
hear?

4. Being able to make and cancel an
appointment is an important skill in English.
You need to be able to:
1. make an appointment
2. respond to an appointment
3. cancel an appointment.

5. Are you available on... / next...?
free on... / next...?
Can we meet on... / next ...?
would next ... be ok?
What about next ... ?
Is next ... ok?
Here are some expressions you can use to set appointments:
Examples:
Are you available on the 17th? Can we meet on the 16th?
How does the 3rd sound to you? Are you free next week?
Would Friday suit you? Is next Tuesday convenient for you?

6. Language for making appointments
I'd like to
I need to
I want to
book an
appointment
to see
with
the doctor
a dentist
my lawyer
Steve
Mrs Saha
the plumber
the electrician
please.

7. Polite ways to soften a request
Is it possible to
Can I
May I
book an appointment please?
Language for booking different types of appointments
...for
...to have
a car service
a haircut
a check-up
a facial
a manicure
a pedicure
...to have
my eyes tested
my teeth cleaned
my eyebrows waxed

8. Prepositions for making appointments
...on
...for
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
...for
today
later today
next week
...at
...for
10 am
3 o'clock
1.30

9. Yes, ... is fine
.... would be fine.
.... suits me
would be perfect.
I'm afraid
I'm sorry
I can't on ....
I won't be able to... on ...
I really don't think I can on ...
Examples:
Yes, Monday is fine. Monday suits me.
Thursday would be perfect. I'm afraid I can't on the 3rd. What about the 6th?
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 really don't think I can on the 17th. Can we meet up on the 19th?

10. You can cancel or change appointments as follows:
• Unfortunately, due to some unforeseen business, I will
be unable to keep our appointment for tomorrow
afternoon.
• Would it be possible to arrange another time later in the
week?
• I’m afraid that I have to cancel our meeting on
Wednesday, as something unexpected has come up.
• You know we were going to meet next Friday? Well, I'm
very sorry, but something urgent has come up.
• I'm afraid that I'm not going to be able to meet you after
all. Can we fix another time?

13. Michelle: Mr Hibberd’s office!
Peter: Hello, can I speak to Brian Hibberd, please?
Michelle: I’m afraid he’s in a meeting until lunchtime. Can I take a
message?
Peter: Well, I’d like to arrange an appointment to see him,
please. It’s Peter Jefferson here.
Michelle: Could you hold on for a minute, Mr Jefferson. I’ll just look
in the diary. So when’s convenient for you?
Peter: Some time next week if possible. I gather he’s away the
following week.
Michelle: Yes, that’s right, he’s on holiday for a fortnight.
Peter: Well, I need to see him before he goes away. So would next
Wednesday be okay?
Michelle:
Wednesday . let me see . he's out of the office all morning.
But he's free in the afternoon, after about three.
Peter: Three o'clock is difficult. But I could make it after four.
Michelle: So shall we say 4.15 next Wednesday, in Mr Hibberd's
office?
Peter: Yes, that sounds fine. Thanks very much.
Michelle: Okay, then. Bye.

14. What have you learned and understood
from the notes?