New here? This is lesson 113 of a free 240-lesson English course.
Making plans in English
Tasha sends Ana a long voice memo. She wants a walk on the lakefront this weekend, and she talks for a long time.
Ana needs lines to invite a friend, suggest a time, and ask what works.
You'll ask if someone is free, suggest a day or time with how about, and invite them to come.
You'll also ask what time works, what day is best, and what you should do.
By the end of this lesson
Invite someone, suggest a time, and ask what's good.
- Are you free ___?Ask if they have time then.
- How about ___?You suggest this time or plan.
- What time works for you?Ask which hour is good for them.
- What should we do?Ask for an idea for the plan.
- What day is best for you?Ask which day they prefer.
- Do you want to come?You invite them to join you.
Scene — a long voice memo
Ana is at home on Larch Street with her phone. Tasha's long voice memo keeps going.
Tasha wants a lakefront walk this weekend. She talks and talks. When the memo ends, Ana calls her back.
Outside, the street is quiet. A cold sky sits over the lake.
Learn — invite and pick a time
Six short lines help you invite a friend and pick a time.
You'll ask if they are free, suggest a plan, and ask what works.
Are you free ___?
Ask if they have time then.
When to use it: Ask this to check if they have time.
Put a day or time in the blank, and free means you have time.
How about ___?
You suggest this time or plan.
When to use it: Use this to suggest a day, time, or plan.
Put a day, a time, or a plan after about.
What time works for you?
Ask which hour is good for them.
When to use it: Ask this to find an hour they can meet.
Works here means the hour is good for them.
Say it: For can sound short and weak here.
What should we do?
Ask for an idea for the plan.
When to use it: Ask this when you need a plan idea.
This asks for an idea you can do together.
What day is best for you?
Ask which day they prefer.
When to use it: Ask this to pick a day they like.
Best here means the day that is easiest for them.
Do you want to come?
You invite them to join you.
When to use it: Use this to invite a friend to join you.
You will hear wanna, but say want to as two words.
Say it: To after want can sound like a short tuh.
Story — she keeps talking
Tasha's memo plays all the way through. Then Ana calls her back to catch the plan.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.
- Ana sits on her couch and hits play.
TashaHey. Lakefront this weekend. Do you want to come?She invites Ana to join a weekend walk.- TashaAre you free this weekend? How about Saturday?She asks if Ana has time, then suggests Saturday.
- Tasha does not pause. The memo keeps going.
- TashaHow about ten? I can talk the whole walk.She suggests ten, then she keeps talking.
- TashaSometimes I walk to the lake. Just walk.On some days she walks to the lake, and that is the plan.
- The memo ends. Ana calls Tasha back.
AnaCome where? The lake?She asks where Tasha wants her to go.- TashaThe lakefront walk. Join me.She means Ana should walk by the lake with her.
- AnaFree? No. I pay rent every month.She mixes up free time and money.
- TashaTime, not money. I mean hours.She means free time, not something with no cost.
- AnaOkay. What day is best for you?She asks which day Tasha prefers.
- TashaHow about Saturday? I talk a lot, I know.She suggests Saturday again and admits she talks a lot.
- AnaWhat time works for you?She asks which hour is good for Tasha.
- TashaHow about ten? Bring a warm jacket.She suggests ten and tells Ana to dress for cold.
- AnaWhat should we do?She asks for one clear idea for the plan.
- TashaJust walk by the water.The plan is a walk next to the lake.
- AnaThat sounds good.She likes the idea.
- TashaYes, let's do that. I'm gonna talk a lot.She agrees, and she will keep talking on the walk.
Practice — free, how about, come
You'll hear the new lines, pick a fit, fill a gap, and build a plan question.
One listen item is in the mix. Stay with the meaning, not a copy of the line.
0 of 11 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
How about ___?
What do you say?
What do you say?
You want Tasha to join your walk. Invite her with a direct question.
Pick the reply
Tasha says:
Pick the reply
How about Saturday?
She suggests Saturday as the day.
And you reply with:
Build the line
Build the line
Ask for an idea for the plan.
?
Tap the words in order.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
Ask which day they prefer.
What day is best ____ you?
Swap the word
Swap the word
You ask if Tasha has time on Saturday.
Are you ____ ___?
Match the pairs
English
Are you free ___?Drop the Simple English hereHow about ___?Drop the Simple English hereWhat time works for you?Drop the Simple English hereDo you want to come?Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
True or false?
True or false?
This line means you walk to the lake every day.
Find the mistake
Find the mistake
What do you say?
What do you say?
Tasha suggests a plan. Tell her you like the idea.
Say it — make the plan
Now you're Ana on the phone. Tasha wants to get outside this weekend, and you make a plan together.
When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line. Tap play first if you want to hear it.
- TashaI want to get outside this weekend.She wants to spend time outdoors on Saturday or Sunday.
- Ana (you)Ask for an idea for an activity together.
Ask for an idea for an activity together.
What should we do?
Ask for an idea for the plan.
0 of 3 said
Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| Are you free ___? | Ask if they have time then. | |
| How about ___? | You suggest this time or plan. | |
| What time works for you? | Ask which hour is good for them. | |
| What should we do? | Ask for an idea for the plan. | |
| What day is best for you? | Ask which day they prefer. | |
| Do you want to come? | You invite them to join you. |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these plan lines handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your invites ready.
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