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Phrasebook

English Phrases for Making Plans and Invitations

Meeting friends, setting up a coffee or changing a time all need the same few phrases. Learn how to invite, agree on a plan and say no without sounding rude.

34 phrases · By LearnLingo Team · Updated

Tap to hear a phrase. Levels follow the CEFR scale. American English is the default; British variants are noted.

Asking if someone is free

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Are you free on Saturday?

A1

Use "on" with days: on Saturday, on Friday night.

Cumartesi boş musun?
  • Yes, why?
  • No, sorry, I'm busy.

What are you doing this weekend?

A1

Present continuous is normal for fixed plans in the future.

Bu hafta sonu ne yapıyorsun?
  • Nothing much. Why?
  • I'm visiting my parents.

Do you have any plans tonight?

A1
Bu akşam bir planın var mı?
  • Not really.
  • Yeah, I'm going out with friends.

When are you free?

A1
Ne zaman boşsun?
  • Any day after Wednesday.

Are you around next week?

B1

Informal. "Around" means in town and available.

Gelecek hafta buralarda mısın?
  • Yes, all week.
  • No, I'm away until Friday.

Have you got time for a coffee?

A2

"Have you got" is more British. US: "Do you have time for a coffee?"

Bir kahveye vaktin var mı?
  • Sure, I've got half an hour.

Inviting and suggesting

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Do you want to grab a coffee?

A2

"Grab" is casual: grab a coffee, grab lunch, grab a bite.

Bir kahve içmek ister misin?
  • Sure, when?
  • I'd love to.

Would you like to come to dinner on Friday?

A2
Cuma akşamı yemeğe gelmek ister misin?
  • That sounds lovely. Thank you!

How about going to the cinema?

A2

After "How about" use -ing. US: "the movies."

Sinemaya gitmeye ne dersin?
  • Good idea. What's on?

Why don't we meet at the station?

A2

This is a suggestion, not a real question.

İstasyonda buluşalım mı?
  • OK, that works for me.

Let's go for a walk.

A1
Hadi yürüyüşe çıkalım.
  • Good idea!

We're having a party on Saturday. Want to come?

A2
Cumartesi parti veriyoruz. Gelmek ister misin?
  • Sure! Should I bring anything?

Feel free to bring a friend.

B1
İstersen bir arkadaşını da getirebilirsin.
  • Thanks, I'll ask my sister.

Agreeing on time and place

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

What time works for you?

A2
Sana hangi saat uyar?
  • Anytime after six.
  • How about noon?

Does seven o'clock suit you?

B1
Saat yedi sana uyar mı?
  • Perfect.
  • Could we make it half past seven?

Where should we meet?

A1
Nerede buluşalım?
  • How about in front of the café?

Let's meet at the café at three.

A1

Use "at" with times and specific places.

Saat üçte kafede buluşalım.
  • See you there!

I'll pick you up at eight.

A2
Seni saat sekizde alırım.
  • Great, I'll be ready.

Shall I book a table?

B1

"Shall I" is more British. US: "Should I make a reservation?"

Masa ayırtayım mı?
  • Yes, please. It gets busy.

It's a date.

B1

Means "the plan is fixed." It doesn't have to be romantic.

Anlaştık o zaman.
  • See you then!

See you then.

A1
O zaman görüşürüz.
  • See you!

Accepting an invitation

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Sounds great!

A1
Harika olur!
  • Great, see you there.

I'd love to.

A2
Çok isterim.
  • Wonderful!

Count me in.

B1

Informal. The opposite is "Count me out."

Ben de varım.
  • Awesome.

That works for me.

A2
Bana uyar.
  • Perfect, it's settled then.

Why not?

A2
Neden olmasın?
  • Great, let's go.

Saying no and changing plans

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I'd love to, but I can't this time.

A2

Start with something positive, then say no.

Çok isterdim ama bu sefer olmuyor.
  • No problem, maybe next time.

Sorry, I already have plans.

A2
Kusura bakma, zaten planım var.
  • Oh, OK. Another time then.

Can I take a rain check?

B2

American idiom: you can't come now but want to do it later.

Başka bir zamana erteleyebilir miyiz?
  • Sure, just let me know.

Can we make it another day?

A2
Başka bir güne alabilir miyiz?
  • Sure, how about Thursday?

Something's come up. Can we reschedule?

B1
Bir şey çıktı. Başka bir zamana alabilir miyiz?
  • Of course. Is everything OK?

I'm running a bit late.

B1
Biraz gecikiyorum.
  • No worries, take your time.

I'm afraid I have to cancel.

B1
Maalesef iptal etmem gerekiyor.
  • That's a shame. Let's find another time.

Let me check and get back to you.

B1

Useful when you are not sure yet.

Bir bakayım, sana dönerim.
  • Sure, just let me know by Friday.

Sample dialogues

Planning a weekend

Elif
Hey, are you free on Saturday?
Selam, cumartesi boş musun?
Sam
I think so. Why?
Sanırım. Neden?
Elif
How about going to the new exhibition at the museum?
Müzedeki yeni sergiye gitmeye ne dersin?
Sam
Sounds great! What time works for you?
Harika olur! Sana hangi saat uyar?
Elif
Let's meet at the entrance at eleven.
Saat on birde girişte buluşalım.
Sam
That works for me. Shall we get lunch after?
Bana uyar. Sonra öğle yemeği yiyelim mi?
Elif
Definitely. It's a date.
Kesinlikle. Anlaştık.
Sam
See you then!
O zaman görüşürüz!

Changing plans

Burak
Hi Anna, I'm really sorry. Something's come up at work.
Selam Anna, çok özür dilerim. İşte bir şey çıktı.
Anna
Oh no. So you can't make it tonight?
Eyvah. Yani bu akşam gelemeyecek misin?
Burak
I'm afraid not. Can we make it another day?
Maalesef hayır. Başka bir güne alabilir miyiz?
Anna
Sure. Are you free on Thursday?
Tabii. Perşembe boş musun?
Burak
Let me check and get back to you.
Bir bakayım, sana dönerim.
Anna
OK, just let me know.
Tamam, haber ver yeter.
Burak
Thursday is fine. Same place, same time?
Perşembe olur. Aynı yer, aynı saat?
Anna
Perfect. See you then.
Mükemmel. O zaman görüşürüz.

Common mistakes Turkish speakers make

How about go to the cinema?

How about going to the cinema?

After "How about" and "What about," use the -ing form of the verb.

Let's meet in Saturday at 5.

Let's meet on Saturday at 5.

Use "on" for days and "at" for clock times. Turkish uses one suffix, English uses different prepositions.

Are you empty tomorrow?

Are you free tomorrow?

This copies Turkish "boş musun." For people, English uses "free," not "empty."

I will go to my mother's house tomorrow, it is planned.

I'm going to my mom's tomorrow.

For arranged plans, English usually uses the present continuous or "going to."

No, I can't come.

I'd love to, but I can't this time.

A flat "no" can sound cold. Add something positive or a reason to soften it.

Quick quiz

Eight questions to check what you remember. Pick an answer to see if it is right.

  1. 1. Which question asks if someone is available?

  2. 2. Complete: "How about ___ dinner together?"

  3. 3. "Count me in" means:

  4. 4. Choose the correct prepositions: "Let's meet ___ Friday ___ 6 p.m."

  5. 5. What does "take a rain check" mean?

  6. 6. Which is the most polite way to say no to an invitation?

  7. 7. Your friend is waiting and you will arrive late. You text:

  8. 8. "Something's come up" means:

0 of 8 answered

Show all answers
  1. Are you free?
  2. having
  3. I want to join.
  4. on / at
  5. Do it another time
  6. I'd love to, but I already have plans.
  7. I'm running a bit late.
  8. An unexpected problem happened.

See what the A2 English course covers, or test your level first.

People also ask

How do I invite someone casually in English?+

Simple questions work best: "Do you want to grab a coffee?" or "Are you free on Saturday?" With people you know less well, "Would you like to...?" sounds a bit more polite.

How can I say no to an invitation without being rude?+

Thank the person, show you would like to come, then give a short reason: "Thanks for asking! I'd love to, but I already have plans." Offering another time makes it even friendlier.

Which tense do I use to talk about my plans?+

For arranged plans with a time, use the present continuous: "I'm meeting Ali at six." For intentions, use "going to": "I'm going to visit my aunt this summer."

Is "It's a date" only for romantic plans?+

No. It is a friendly way to confirm any plan, like lunch with a coworker. Context makes the meaning clear.

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