Share on

Language Functions refer to the different situations where we use language. Often, the meaning of expressions we use is not easy to understand from the words of the sentence. For example, a person could say ‘I see what you mean but …’ and the meaning of the sentence is ‘I understand what you are saying but my opinion is different.

Enhance your English language functions for arranging appointments and boost up your Linguaskill (Bulats) score!

Test My Level For Free

In BULATS, your knowledge of Language Functions will be tested. You will see examples of Language Functions in the Reading texts and you will hear people use them in the Listening audios. They are also important in the Writing Test and the Speaking Test. If you can understand the different nuances of meaning, you will improve your score.

This exercise will give you examples of typical expressions that are used to make, change and cancel appointments effectively.

Making an appointment

Elementary

Is it possible to book an appointment?

Is it possible to make an appointment?

Can I make an appointment to see (Mr Smith)?

Could I make an appointment to see (Mr Smith)?

May I make an appointment to see (Mr Smith)?

I’d like to make an appointment with (Mr Smith).

Is (Mr Smith) available on the 17th?

I want to see (Mr Smith), can I make an appointment?

I need to see (Mr Smith), can I make an appointment?

I would like to see (Mr Smith), can I make an appointment?

I need to see (Mr Smith) as soon as possible.

I need to see (Mr Smith) ASAP. (= As Soon As Possible).

I need to see (Mr Smith) urgently.

I need to see (Mr Smith) at once.

I need to see (Mr Smith) straightaway.

Are you free next week?

Are you free on the 17th for lunch?

Is next Tuesday convenient for you?

How to use prepositions to make an appointment

Can we meet on the 17th?

Can we meet next Tuesday?

Can we meet at 4 o’clock?

Can we meet for half an hour?

Can we meet before the end of the week?

We need to meet by the 17th (= on the 17th or before).

I’m busy until the 17th, so we can meet after the 17th.

Intermediate

I’d like to schedule a meeting with (Mr Smith).

Does (Mr Smith) have any free time next Tuesday, the 17th?

What time is best for you?

When would be a good time for you?

How does the 17th sound to you?

What about sometime next week?

Would next Tuesday be OK?

Would 9:00 on Tuesday be OK?

His schedule is open all day Tuesday.

He’s free any day but Wednesday.

He’s free any day except Wednesday.

He’s free any day apart from Wednesday.

The only day he’s booked is Wednesday.

He doesn’t have time on Wednesday.

He doesn’t have any availability on Wednesday.

He isn’t free on Wednesday.

(Mr Smith) is out of the office next week.

(Mr Smith) will be away until Monday.

(Mr Smith) will be in again next Monday.

(Mr Smith) will be back next Monday.

Is it OK to meet in (the HR office)?

The meeting location will be (the HR office).

The meeting venue will be (the HR office).

The meeting will take place in (the HR office).

To answer positively with a day and time

Tuesday at 10:00 will be fine.

Tuesday at 10:00 sounds good.

OK, Tuesday morning at 10:00.

To answer negatively with a day and time

Tuesday at 10:00 is not good for me.

Tuesday at 10:00 is not possible.

Tuesday at 10:00 is not convenient.

Advanced

Would Tuesday at 10:00 suit you?

Could we meet at 12 for lunch?

Do you want to meet at 12 for lunch?

What time is good for you?

Which day is good for you?

Which day is best for you?

Advanced answers

Sounds good, see you on the 17th at 10:00.

Tuesday suits me.

Tuesday would be perfect.

Sure, Tuesday works great for me.

Changing an appointment

I’m not available on Tuesday, how about Wednesday?

I’m afraid I can’t on the 17th. What about the 18th?

I’m sorry, I can’t make it on Tuesday. Could we meet on Wednesday instead?

I can’t make it on the 17th. Are you free on the 18th?

I don’t think I can on the 17th. Can we meet up on the 18th?

I’m not free on Tuesday but I am free on Wednesday. Does that work for you?

I’m unavailable that day. What about the following day?

I’m unavailable that day. What about the next day?

Would it be possible to arrange another time later in the week?

Can we fix another time?

Can we change the meeting from the 17th to the 23rd?

Can we put the meeting back to the 23rd?

Can we postpone the meeting to the 23rd?

Can we change the meeting from the 23rd to the 17th?

Can we bring the meeting forward (from the 23rd) to the 17th?

Cancelling an appointment

I’m sorry, I have to cancel our appointment.

I’m sorry, I need to cancel our appointment.

I want to cancel our appointment.

I would like to cancel our appointment.

I’m afraid that I’m not going to be able to meet you after all.

I’m afraid I have to cancel our meeting on Tuesday.

I will be unable to keep our appointment on Tuesday.

I won’t be able to keep our appointment on Tuesday.

Something has come up.

Something unexpected has come up.

Something urgent has come up.