Talking About Time & Plans
Learn how to suggest times, distinguish fixed and tentative plans, check availability, and respond when arrangements change.
Learning Flow
Learn -> Practice -> Challenge
After This Lesson
Use the lesson in real situations
Practice with helpful SONA feedback
Complete the challenge with clear answers
Save your progress as you complete the lesson
Learning outcome
Learning Goal
+
Learning outcome
Learning Goal
State availability with a clear day or time range.
Suggest a plan with time, place, and purpose.
Confirm whether an arrangement is fixed or tentative.
Decline or reschedule while offering a useful alternative.
Where you will use it
Real-Life Context
+
Where you will use it
Real-Life Context
Use clear time language for classes, calls, errands, appointments, and social plans.
Check the day, date, time, place, and time zone when confusion is possible.
Give a realistic alternative when you cannot accept a proposed time.
Separate intentions such as I might go from confirmed arrangements such as I'm meeting them at six.
Teacher explanation
Core Learning
+
Teacher explanation
Core Learning
Start with real availability
Say when you are free, busy, or unsure before suggesting a plan.
I can talk between one and two this afternoon.
Friday is difficult, but Monday evening is open.
I may be available after the workshop ends.
Make the arrangement specific
A useful plan normally includes what, when, and where, with confirmation if needed.
Let's review the application at the cafe near the station.
Can we speak for twenty minutes at eleven?
I'll send the address once the booking is confirmed.
Change plans responsibly
Acknowledge the change briefly, apologise when appropriate, and offer another option.
Something urgent has come up. Would Wednesday work instead?
I'm sorry, I won't reach there by seven.
We can postpone the visit or meet online tonight.
Useful phrases
Key Expressions
+
Useful phrases
Key Expressions
neutral
Checking availability
Use these before choosing a date or time.
Are you free at any point tomorrow afternoon?
What time would suit you best?
Do you have thirty minutes before lunch?
informal
Making and confirming plans
Use these with friends, classmates, and familiar colleagues.
How about meeting near the metro entrance?
Great, let's make it six thirty.
I'll see you there just before the film starts.
formal
Professional scheduling
Use precise and courteous language for work, services, or appointments.
Would ten o'clock on Wednesday be convenient?
The meeting remains provisional until everyone replies.
I am writing to confirm our appointment for 14 August.
neutral
Changing an arrangement
Use these when a genuine change affects the plan.
Could we choose another time this week?
I can no longer make the morning slot.
Would the same time on Friday be possible?
Tone choice
Formal vs Informal
+
Tone choice
Formal vs Informal
formal
Formal
Use complete dates, precise times, and polite alternatives for professional arrangements.
I am available from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. on 18 September.
Please let me know whether this time is suitable.
If necessary, I can arrange a call the following morning.
neutral
Neutral
Use clear but relaxed planning language in everyday situations.
I should finish by four, so five would be safer.
Let's meet beside the ticket counter.
Message me if the bus is delayed.
informal
Informal
Use short suggestions with people who share the context.
Are we still on for tonight?
I might be ten minutes late.
No problem, we can catch up next week.
Short natural exchanges
Mini Conversations
+
Short natural exchanges
Mini Conversations
Arranging study practice
Could we practise speaking before Thursday's class?
I have time from five fifteen to six tomorrow.
Perfect. Let's use the quiet room on the second floor.
The plan includes purpose, time range, and place.
Rescheduling a service visit
The technician cannot come this morning.
Thanks for letting me know. Is an evening visit possible?
Yes, we can offer a slot between six and eight.
The response stays calm and asks for a practical alternative.
Confirming a social plan
Is Sunday's picnic definitely happening?
Yes, unless there is heavy rain. We'll decide by eight that morning.
Alright, I'll wait for the final message before leaving.
The speakers make the condition and confirmation time clear.
Sound natural
Natural English Tip
+
Sound natural
Natural English Tip
Use at for clock times, on for days and dates, and in for broader periods.
Free after six does not always mean exactly at six; confirm when precision matters.
I might and I'm planning to are tentative, while I'm meeting and it's confirmed are stronger.
When declining a time, suggest one or two realistic alternatives.
Repeat important details in a confirmation message to prevent misunderstanding.
Gentle correction
Common Mistakes
+
Gentle correction
Common Mistakes
Avoid: We will meet on 6 p.m.
Use: We will meet at 6 p.m.
Use at before a specific clock time.
Avoid: Are you free in Monday?
Use: Are you free on Monday?
Use on before a day of the week.
Avoid: Tomorrow I will be come late.
Use: I will arrive late tomorrow.
Use will plus the base verb without be here.
Avoid: I cannot come. Cancel it.
Use: I can't make that time. Could we reschedule?
A brief reason and alternative make the change more cooperative.
Context matters
Cultural/Context Note
+
Context matters
Cultural/Context Note
Expectations about punctuality vary, but clear updates are useful in every setting.
Use a time zone for remote plans involving different regions or countries.
Some calendars use different date orders, so write the month name when confusion is possible.
Do not pressure someone to explain private reasons for being unavailable.
Write and get feedback
Practice
+
Write and get feedback
Practice
Type your answers first. Feedback appears after you save and submit practice.
Apply it once
Real-Life Scenario
+
Apply it once
Real-Life Scenario
Arrange a meeting that needs one change
You and a classmate need to plan a project discussion. The first suggested time does not work, so agree on a clear alternative.
State when you are available.
Suggest a time, place, and purpose.
Respond politely to a scheduling problem.
Confirm the final arrangement clearly.
Submit your answer
Challenge
+
Submit your answer
Challenge
Write 4 planning lines that move from availability to confirmation.
Give one clear availability window.
Suggest a specific activity, time, and place.
Reschedule politely with an alternative.
Confirm the final plan or ask for confirmation.
Personal coaching
SONA Tutor Feedback
+
Personal coaching
SONA Tutor Feedback
Submit your answers to receive clear feedback, supportive hints, and guidance for your next attempt.
Save progress
Mission Complete
+
Save progress
Mission Complete
Lesson Progress
Sign in to save lesson progress and quiz attempts.
Mission Complete
Full Lesson Performance
Review practice, challenge, and quiz progress before marking the lesson complete.
Practice
0 / 10 (0%)
Save and submit all practice tasks before completing.
Challenge
0 / 4 (0%)
Save and submit the challenge answer before completing.
Overall Lesson Status
In Progress
0 / 14 (0%)
Suggested Review
Save and submit practice first.