Vocabulary · SOCIAL PLANS
Making plans with friends
Invite a friend, choose a time and place, and explain a change of plan. Learn eight useful expressions for friendly everyday conversations.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Listen and repeat
Each item has a British and an American button. Listen to the word and example, repeat them, then make your own sentence. Both tracks use the same eight items.
British English · Libby
Open or download british MP3American English · Amanda
Open or download american MP3Choose an accent on any word below.
Invite and agree
Begin with a friendly question. Check that your friend has time, then suggest an activity.
free
adjective
Having time to do something because you are not busy.
Are you free on Saturday afternoon?
be free on Saturday; be free after lunch
Here free means not busy. It does not mean that an activity costs nothing.
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
would you like to
invitation phrase
A polite way to ask if someone wants to do something.
Would you like to go for a walk?
Would you like to + verb
Use the basic verb form: Would you like to join us? A friendly answer is: Yes, I would love to.
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
meet up
phrasal verb
Get together with someone, often for a social activity.
Let's meet up outside the library.
meet up with a friend; meet up at six
Meet can also introduce someone for the first time. Meet up usually focuses on getting together.
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
sounds good
informal response
A friendly way to say that you like or accept a suggestion.
A picnic in the park sounds good.
That sounds good; sounds good to me
This accepts the idea. You may still need to agree on the time and place.
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
Speak now: For 30 seconds, invite a friend to do something this weekend. Ask if they are free and suggest where to meet up.
Possible model response
Are you free on Sunday? Would you like to visit the market? Let's meet up outside the station at ten.
Solo: say a friendly reply using sounds good. Tutor: ask the learner to suggest a different activity.
Confirm or change the plan
Clear details help everyone arrive at the right place. If something changes, explain it and offer another possibility.
bring along
phrasal verb
Take a person or thing with you when you go somewhere.
You can bring along a friend.
bring along a friend; bring a jacket along; bring it along
With a pronoun, put it between bring and along: bring it along.
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
on my way
phrase
Travelling towards the place you are going to.
I'm on my way to the cafe.
be on my way to + place; be on my way home
It means your journey has started. It does not mean that you have already arrived.
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
running late
phrase
Being behind your planned time and likely to arrive later than expected.
I'm running late because I missed the bus.
be running late; be running ten minutes late
Add an estimated arrival time when you can: I will be there at half past two.
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
another time
phrase
On a different occasion, rather than now or at the time suggested.
Could we go another time?
maybe another time; try another time
This can soften a refusal. It does not confirm a new date, so suggest one if you want to rearrange.
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
Speak now: For 30 seconds, explain that you are running late and say when you expect to arrive. Then suggest another time if your friend cannot wait.
Possible model response
Sorry, I'm running ten minutes late. I'm on my way now and should arrive at three. If that is too late, could we meet another time?
Solo: repeat the message with a different arrival time. Tutor: ask whether the friend can wait.
Try it in context
Say each answer aloud before opening the explanation.
1. Choose free or on my way: You have no plans tomorrow afternoon. I am ___ tomorrow afternoon.
Check answer 1
free
Free describes available time. On my way describes a journey that has started.
2. Put the words in order: like / would / join / you / to / us?
Check answer 2
Would you like to join us?
Use would you like to followed by the basic verb form to make a polite invitation.
3. Your friend suggests Tuesday, but you are busy. Give a polite reply and offer Wednesday.
Check answer 3
Possible answer: Sorry, I'm busy on Tuesday. Could we meet another time? Are you free on Wednesday?
A brief explanation and a specific alternative help your friend respond. Other polite replies are valid.
Solo: say the invitation and reply as two speakers. Tutor: change the day and ask the learner to respond without reading.
Check and use your learning
Mastery quiz · 8 questions
Arrange a weekend outing · 45 seconds
Speak for 45 seconds as both friends. Invite someone, accept the idea, confirm a place and time, then send a short message saying you are running late. Use at least four lesson expressions.
Are you free …? / Would you like to …? / Sounds good. / Let's meet up … / I'm on my way, but …
Possible model response
Are you free on Saturday? Would you like to go to the park? Sounds good. Let's meet up by the main gate at two. Can I bring along my sister? Of course. Later: Sorry, I'm running five minutes late. I'm on my way now.
Solo: repeat with a different outing and meeting place. Tutor: ask the learner to rearrange for another day.
Make the words yours
Send yourself a practice invitation for a real or imagined outing. Include the activity, time and meeting place. Tomorrow, say a reply without looking at the lesson.
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