Setting a Date and Time
Friends are checking their schedules and proposing available dates and times for the dinner party, trying to find a mutually convenient slot.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
excited
Feeling very happy and enthusiastic about something, like an upcoming event. Use it to express positive emotions about plans.
free
Available and not busy. In scheduling, it means you have time open for activities.
booked
Already scheduled or reserved for something else, so not available. Common in planning meetings or events.
tough
Difficult or challenging. Here, it means hard to find time because of other commitments.
preferable
Better or more desirable than another option. Use it when comparing choices politely.
double-check
To check something again to make sure it's correct. Useful for confirming details like dates.
conflicts
Situations where two or more plans overlap and can't happen at the same time. Common in busy schedules.
settled
Decided and agreed upon finally. Use it when a group plan is confirmed.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
What dates are you all thinking for next month?
This is a question to ask for suggestions on available times. It's useful for starting planning discussions. 'You all' is informal for a group; 'thinking for' means considering.
I'm pretty free most weekdays after 6 PM, but weekends are a bit trickier.
This describes your availability. 'Pretty free' means mostly available; 'trickier' means more difficult. Useful for sharing schedule constraints in group chats.
How about a Friday evening, maybe the 15th or 22nd? I'm open then.
A suggestion for a time, using 'how about' to propose ideas politely. 'Open' means available. Great for offering options in planning.
The 15th works for me!
Simple agreement to a proposed date. 'Works for me' is a common phrase meaning it's suitable. Use it to confirm quickly in conversations.
Let me just double-check my calendar... Yes, the 15th works perfectly for me! No conflicts at all.
Shows pausing to verify, then confirming. 'Double-check' is a phrasal verb for re-verifying. Useful for careful planning to avoid mistakes.
So it's settled then, Friday, the 15th, around 7 PM sound good for everyone?
Confirms the plan and seeks final agreement. 'It's settled' means decided; 'sound good' is informal for 'is that okay?' Essential for wrapping up group decisions.
Sounds great! Looking forward to it.
Positive response to a plan. 'Looking forward to' expresses excitement about the future. Use it to end planning on a happy note.