Making Arrangements By Ms. Terri Yueh

Making Arrangements Vocabulary & Expressions Can we fix a meeting ? Shall we arrange an appointment ? Would it be useful to meet up soon? How about What about Monday (Tuesday, Wednesday…) ? Would Monday be suitable? Would Monday suit you? Shall we say Monday? I was wondering if you’d like to….?

Accepting & Refusing Accepting Refusing I’d love to but.. Subject: Review Meeting Hi, John, The next review meeting is planned on Wednesday, 25 May at 10:00, in Room 401. Are you free then? Could you please confirm that you can make it this time? Thanks! Nancy Refusing I’d love to but.. That’s very kind of you but unfortunately… Well, actually… I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it. I’m afraid something’s come up. I’m afraid I can’t get out of it. I’m sorry about this, but I can’t make it. Accepting Yes, I’d love to. That’d be great/ lovely/nice/terrific/smashing. Thanks. Yes, I’m free then.

Other Expressions I’m completely snowed under at the moment.  very busy Can we leave it open for the time being? decide not to fix a day I’ll get back in touch when I’m not so busy. contact you again

Changing Plans Subject: Staff Meeting Dear all, I’m afraid we will have to change the time of next week’s staff meeting, because the Accounts Manager will be away and the conference room is occupied. The Accounts Manager will be back on 30 March, and the meeting room will be free from 2:30pm. Can we have the meeting then? Nancy I’m afraid we’ll have to change the time of Friday’s meeting / the meeting room / start earlier. Could we make it (time) instead? Why don’t we meet on / at (time)?

Closing the Conversation some ways of finishing a conversation without sounding abrupt See you on Friday, then. Yes, I look forward to seeing you on next Monday. Until next Monday, then. Look forward to hearing from you soon. I’m going to have to go now. / I got to go now! It’s been nice talking to you. Good to talk to you. Talk to you soon, no doubt. We’ll be (back) in touch soon.

Sample Dialogue A: (ring…) Joyce Lee speaking. B: Hello. This is Ann Wang. Do you remember we met at the Taipei Book Fair in March? A: Yes, of course! How have you been? B: Fine, thanks. I’m going to be in Macau next week. How about meeting up to discuss how Meggibook and Sunny Press might work together? A: I’ll check my diary. Well, I won’t be available on Tuesday. I’ve got to go to Hong Kong. Would Wednesday suit you?

B: Sounds good. Shall I meet you at you office? A: Yes. Let’s have lunch together. Why don’t you come to my office at 12:30? Ask for me at reception and I’ll come down. B: Great. I am glad to visit your office! See you on Wednesday at 12:30, then. B. Look forward to seeing you then. Bye. A. Good bye.