How to: Make arrangements 2

Click here to see expressions that you can use to make arrangements and appointments.

Making an alternative suggestion

Examples:

• Would Wednesday suit you? 
• Actually, Tuesday would be better for me.

• Could you make it in the afternoon?
• If it's okay with you, I think I'd prefer the morning.

• What about the following week? Monday at 15.30?
• Could we make it a little later?

Responding positively:

• Ok, that sounds like a good idea.
• Yes, that's fine.
• Yes, that'll be fine
• That's no problem. 

Phrases to learn:

• Actually, XXX would be better for me. 
• If it's okay with you, I think I'd prefer XXX.
• Could we make it a little later/earlier? 

• Ok, that sounds like a good idea.
• Yes, that's fine.
• Yes, that'll be fine
• That's no problem. 

How to: Make arrangements

You can use these expressions in an email or in conversation in order to make arrangements and appointments:

Suggesting a time / day
Examples:

• Would Wednesday suit you? / Would 10.30 suit you?
• Could you make it in the afternoon?
• Shall we say 16.00 then?
• Could you manage Tuesday morning?
• What about the following week? Monday at 15.30?

Phrases to learn:

• Would XXX suit you? 
• Could you make it in the (morning/afternoon)?
• Could you make it on (Monday, Thursday etc). 
• Shall we say XXX then?
• Could you manage XXX?
• What about XXXX? 

Phrasal Verb: PUT OFF

What does this mean?! PUT OFF means to postpone or delay.


We can separate this phrasal verb.


Examples:
I keep putting off phoning my aunt. I really should!


If you use a pronoun, it can only go in the middle of the phrasal verb: put + it + off
I really must phone my aunt, but I keep putting it off.


In business: 
We've put off the meeting until next week. 
We've put the meeting off until next week.
We've put it off until next week.

Being less direct in sensitive situations

Sometimes it is more polite to be less direct. This is a useful tip especially during meetings.


It's easy! You can use the past simple instead of the present simple to raise an issue that may be a bit sensitive:


One thing I wanted to discuss was ......


Instead of


One thing I want to discuss is ....


Both expressions are correct, but the first one is less direct

Wise up!

Wise up is a phrasal verb and expression to literally say:  "act more wisely", to make or become aware, informed, or sophisticated.
(Wise means knowledgeable, clever.)  


We use it to say: "stop being an idiot" 
Typically said in a scolding manner.
1. "I could make a million pounds with my blog" 
"Yeah, right! Wise up." 


or "act more maturely"
2. "Stop acting like a child! It's a sophisticated party and they aren't impressed so wise up."



or "become more aware or informed"
3. "I need to wise up about the dangers of eating processed foods."

IDIOM: Hit the roof!

Meaning: this idiom means to become very angry very quickly. 


Examples:


She hit the roof when she saw her credit card bill!


My boss hit the roof when she saw the terrible sales figures.


Variation: You can also say 'hit the ceiling'


He hit the ceiling when his team lost!






ROOF

CEILING

How to: Making Introductions

Here are some phrases you can learn to make introductions. We've split them into three categories: 


formal
May I introduce you to ... (The President of the USA)


informal
Hello. I don't think we've met before. I'm ... 
I don't think you two know each other, do you?
Hi! You must be ... 

neutral

I'd like to introduce you to ... (Cameron Diaz)

Can I introduce myself? I'm / My name is ... (Silvio B)

Can I introduce ... (a friend of mine)? This is ... (Ben STiller)

I don't know if you remember me. We met ... (at the Oscars last year).

Excuse me, would you by any chance be ... (Princess Lea)?