Making Arrangements- Cultural Differences Modal Practice

Making arrangements cultural differences and useful phrases modals practice

What cultural differences might there be connected to making arrangements (fixing meetings, inviting people for dinner, saying no, etc)?

Choose things from below and say what is normal in your country and how that might be similar or different in other countries, using verbs like “should (probably)/ really should”, “need to”, “must/ have to”, “can (sometimes)”, “shouldn’t”, “mustn’t”, “can’t”, “don’t have to” and “don’t need to”. When there are two phrases next to each other, it is unlikely that both are true about one country.

 

You ____________________________________ start an email suggesting or changing an arrangement with a line saying that like “I’m writing because I’d like to meet…”/ You _________________________ start an email suggesting or changing an arrangement with a more indirect line, for example just mentioning the meeting or its topic.

 

You ________________________ use very enthusiastic language when you say yes./ You _____________________ just say okay or that it is convenient when you say yes.

 

You ________________________________________________________ start saying no with positive phrases similar to when you say yes, then say something like “but”.

 

You _____________________________________________ apologise when you say no.

 

You ________________ sound really unhappy or disappointed that you have to say no.

 

You ________________________ just say you are busy, you have another arrangement or it is not convenient, without giving details when you say no./ You ________________

________________ give very detailed explanations of why when you have to say no.

 

You _______________________________________________________ use future forms which show that your other arrangements are (really) fixed when you say no.

 

You ______________________________ suggest other times to meet when you say no.

 

You _______________________ mention the next contact when you say goodbye.

 

Put a tick next to the ones above which are probably a good idea in English. There is more than one possibility in some of the situations.

Discuss as a class, brainstorm at least one phrase for all of the ones above which are usually necessary in English, then check with the mixed answers below.

OR

Check your answers above with the mixed up answers below. The ones which aren’t there are not good ideas. 

 

 

Mixed answers

Use these mixed phrases to help with the brainstorming task above.

 

I’d love to.

That sounds great.

That’s perfect.

 

I’d love to, but…

That would have been great, but…

That would have been perfect. However,…

 

I’m… ing

I will be… ing

 

I’m afraid I can’t make it then.

I’m sorry but…

 

I’m meeting my boss at exactly that time.

I have a business trip to Osaka and won’t be back until lunchtime.

 

I’m writing to you about our meeting next week.

I’m writing to you in connection with my visit to New York.

I’m writing to you because I will be visiting New York next week.

 

If possible, I’d prefer…

If you don’t mind, …would be better for me.

 

Oh, it’s a shame, but…

Ahh. It’s a real pity, but…

Unfortunately,…

 

See you then.

See you on Monday.

I look forward to seeing you…

 

Check your answers below. Many other phrases are possible, so please check if you wrote something different.

Suggested answers

Start an email suggesting an arrangement with a more indirect line just mentioning the meeting or its topic

I’m writing to you about our meeting next week.

I’m writing to you in connection with my visit to New York.

I’m writing to you because I will be visiting New York next week.

 

Use very enthusiastic language when you say yes

I’d love to.

That sounds great.

That’s perfect.

 

Start saying no with positive phrases similar to when you say yes, then say something like “but”

I’d love to, but…

That would have been great, but…

That would have been perfect. However,…

 

Apologise when you say no

I’m afraid I can’t make it then.

I’m sorry but…

NOT I’m afraid but… X

 

Sound really unhappy/ disappointed that you have to say no

Oh, it’s a shame, but…

Ahh. It’s a real pity, but…

Unfortunately,…

 

Give very detailed explanations of why when you have to say no

I’m meeting my boss at exactly that time.

I have a business trip to Osaka and won’t be back until lunchtime.

 

Use future forms which show that your other arrangements are (really) fixed when you say no

I’m… ing

I will be… ing

NOT I will… X

NOT I’m going to… X

 

Say no by suggesting other times to meet

If possible, I’d prefer…

If you don’t mind, …would be better for me.

 

Mention the next contact when you say goodbye

See you then.

See you on Monday.

I look forward to seeing you…

 

Modal verbs in arrangements phrases presentation

Put modal verbs into the making arrangements phrases below (modal verbs above and/ or different modals).

I _______________________________ like to meet next week if you are available then.

 

I ______________ be very happy to meet you at 7 o’clock, if that is convenient with you.

 

That’s fine. I ____________________ just move my other meeting to the afternoon.

 

I ______________________________________________________________ love to!

 

I __________________________________________________________ love to, but…

 

I _________________________________________ prefer Sunday, if you are free then.

 

I’m afraid I __________________________________________________ make it then.

 

I’m afraid I _____________________________________ not be able to make it then.

 

________________________________________ we possibly reschedule the meeting?

 

Check as a class.