Making an Appointment

Making an Appointment

Making an Appointment

·         Are you available on... / next...? - Are you available on the 24^th of this month?

·         Are you free on... / next...? - Are you free next week-end?

·         Can we meet on... / next...? - Can we meet on Monday?

·         What about next...?  - What about sometime next month?

·         Would next ... suit you?  - Would Saturday suit you?

·         Is next ... ok? -  Is next Sunday ok?

Responses

• Yes, Monday is fine.
• Saturday suits me.
• Yes, I’m free on…
• Next week would be perfect.
• I'm afraid, I can't on the 24th. What about the 26th?
• Sorry, but I’m not available on Saturday.
• I'm sorry. I won't be able to make it on Monday. Could we meet on Tuesday instead?
• Next Sunday is going to be a little difficult.
• I really don't think I can on the 15th. Can we meet up on the 20th?

Cancelling an appointment

• Unfortunately, due to some unforeseen business, I will be unable to keep our appointment for tomorrow / next week.
• Would it be possible to arrange another time later in the week?
• I’m afraid that I have to cancel our meeting on Monday / on 26, as something unexpected has come up.
• You know we were going to meet next Sunday? 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 next week-end. Can we fix another time?

Expressing suggestions

• Let’s revise our lessons.
• What about going to the library?
• How about playing cards?
• Why don't we do our homework?
• Shall we invite the principal to the party? 
• Don't you think it is a good idea to watch TV at this time?
• Does it matter if we use your car / motorcycle?

Accepting

• Ok. Yes, let's do it.
• Yes, I'd like to.
• Yes, I'd love to.
• What a good idea!
• Why not?
• Yes, with pleasure.
• That sounds like a good idea.  

Refusing

• No, let's not.
• No, I'd rather not.
• I don't feel like it.
• What an awful / bad idea!
• I don’t think it’s a good idea.

Examples:

·         Would you like to go see a movie?

Okay. Sounds good. Sure. I'd love to. Yeah. Good idea

No, I'd rather not. I'm sorry, but I can't. No, but thanks for inviting me.

·         How about going to the beach this weekend?

Great. What time? Sounds like fun. All right. When and where?

Sorry. I'm busy this weekend. I don't think I can. How about some other time?

·         Would you like some cake?

Yes, please. Sure. Thanks Okay. Thank you

No, thank you I'd better not. No, but thanks for offering.

 

Agreeing and Disagreeing

Agreeing

·         I agree. / So do I. / Me too.

·         Me neither.  / I don't either. (Agreeing about a negative idea.)

·         You're right.  That's right.

·         Good idea.

·         There is no doubt about it that...

·         I completely / absolutely agree with you.

·         I agree with you entirely. / I totally agree with you.

·         I simply must agree with that.

·         I am of the same opinion.

·         That’s exactly what I think.

·         I think that's a good idea.

You can also agree but with reservation especially when there is a doubt.

·         That’s true, but…

·         I can agree with that only with reservations.

·         That seems obvious, but...

·         It is not as simple as it seems.

·         I agree with you in principle, but…

·         I agree with you in part, but…

·         Well, you could be right.

Agree in Dialog
A. Hey, Look at this book , isn't it interesting?
b. Yes, I absolutely agree with you. You must buy it.

Disagreeing

Expressing disagreement is always respected as honest, and sometimes as courageous.

·         I disagree.

·         I don't think so.

·         (No.) That's not right.

·         Yes, but...

·         (I'm sorry, but) I don't agree.

·         I’m sorry, but I disagree.  / I don't agree with you.

·         I'm afraid, I can't agree with you.

·         With all due respect, I cannot agree with this idea.

·         I cannot share this / that.

·         I have my own thoughts about that.

·         Not necessarily.

Disagree in Dialog
A. What do you think about this movie?
B.  I think it’s a good movie.
A. I don't think so. I like watching film but this time I disagree with you
B. This movie is so boring that I sleep while watching it.

Expressing Possibility

Possibility is when there is a chance that something may happen or be true.

• May be I will make the trip alone.
• Perhaps we will visit Bandung.
• Possibly, he will go by train.
• It's possible to finish this job to night.
• We might buy some presents for the family before we go.
• I suppose he might spend a lot of money on this car.
• There's a chance you'll like the city.
• She will take a train as it could rain heavily today.
• My brother may travel alone.

Expressing impossibility

• No, it's impossible to repair that old TV.
• Even a good mechanic can't fix it.
• We may not be able to travel by car.
• There's no chance they repair it tomorrow.

Expressing certainty

Certainty is the state of being completely confident or having no doubt about something.

Will you come tomorrow?

·         Yes, I’m absolutely sure, I will.

·         Yes, I’m quite sure, …

·         Yes, I’m certain, ...

·         Yes, definitely / certainly / of course.

·         No, I’m absolutely sure, I won’t. (negative)

·         Definitely / certainly / of course, not.

Uncertainty

However, uncertainty is when nothing is ever decided or sure.

Will you continue you study in Jakarta?

·         Well, it’s possible, but I’m not certain.

·         It’s impossible, but nothing is sure.

·         Well, you never know.

·         No one can know for sure.

·         It could happen, but I doubt about it.

·         It might be, but it’s doubtful.

·         Possible, but I can’t tell you for sure