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Lesson 116 of 240

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Reschedule a plan in English

Ana and Tasha had a plan for Saturday at the Blue Plate. Ana needs a new time, so they talk about Sunday.

Ana also thinks the bus may make her late. Tasha says not to wait, then waits anyway.

You will ask to move a plan, offer a better time, and say you may be late.

You will also say not to wait, fix a wrong time, and push a plan back a little.

By the end of this lesson

Move a plan to a new time, say you may be late, and tell people not to wait.

  • Can we move it to ___?Ask to change the plan to this new time.
  • Would ___ be better?You offer a time that might work more.
  • I may be a little late.You might arrive after the planned time.
  • Please don't wait for me.They can start without you.
  • I got the time wrong.You mixed up the hour of the plan.
  • Can we push it back a little?Ask to start a bit later the same day.

Scene — sunday instead

Tasha sits down across from Ana in a booth. Saturday did not work, so they need a new time.

Murray sits on two stools with a black coffee he has not finished. The jukebox by the door stays quiet.

Dee walks by with the coffee pot and does not ask about the plan.

Tasha settles across from Ana in the booth while Murray sits at the counter with his coffee.

Learn — a new time

Six lines help you change a plan. You can offer a better time and say you may be late.

You can also tell a friend not to wait, or ask to start a bit later.

  1. Ana gestures to ask about starting a little later as Tasha listens and explains that today is still full.

    Can we move it to ___?

    Ask to change the plan to this new time.

    When to use it: Use this to change a plan to a new day or time.

    Put the new day or time in the blank after to.

  2. Ana raises a hand to offer a different time for their plan.

    Would ___ be better?

    You offer a time that might work more.

    When to use it: Offer a time that may work more for both of you.

    Would keeps this offer polite, not a demand.

    Say it: Would is unstressed and short.

  3. Ana realizes she mixed up the hour while considering a later time.

    I may be a little late.

    You might arrive after the planned time.

    When to use it: Say this when you might arrive after the planned time.

    May means this is possible, not sure.

  4. Tasha gestures for Ana to go ahead without waiting if she arrives late.

    Please don't wait for me.

    They can start without you.

    When to use it: Say this so they can start without you.

    Don't is one piece that means do not.

    Say it: Don't ends with a clear t.

  5. Ana checks her phone as she considers the bus delay and the chance she may arrive late.

    I got the time wrong.

    You mixed up the hour of the plan.

    When to use it: Use this when you mixed up the hour of the plan.

    Got is the past tense of get here.

  6. Ana asks about shifting the plan a little later that same day while Tasha listens and Murray remains at the counter.

    Can we push it back a little?

    Ask to start a bit later the same day.

    When to use it: Ask to start a bit later on the same day.

    Push it back means later, not a new day.

    Say it: Push and it can link.

Story — she waits anyway

Watch Ana and Tasha change their plan at the Blue Plate. They pick Sunday, and Ana may be late.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. Tasha drops into the booth. Ana's tote sits on the seat.
  2. TashaHi. This afternoon is not going to work.a friendly hello, then she says today is not possible
  3. Ana puts a hand on the table, like she might push it.
  4. AnaCan we push it back a little?Ask to start a bit later the same day.
  5. TashaThe time. Not the table. Today is still busy.She means the plan, and she says today is still full.
  6. AnaCan we move it to Sunday at noon?Ask to change the plan to this new time.
  7. TashaNoon works. That sounds good.She likes noon as the plan.
  8. AnaI got the time wrong. Would one o'clock be better?You mixed up the hour, so you offer one o'clock instead.
  9. TashaYes, let's do that.You agree to follow their plan.
  10. AnaI may be a little late.You might arrive after the planned time.
  11. TashaThe bus?She asks if the bus is the reason.
  12. AnaThe bus is late. Please don't wait for me.The bus has not come on time, so they can start without her.
  13. TashaOkay. I won't wait.She says she will start without Ana.
  14. Tasha stays in the booth. Two cups already sit on the table.
  15. DeeShe'll wait, hon. She always does.Dee says Tasha will wait, even after those words.
  16. MurrayWell, Sunday, then.He notes the new day.

Practice — later or sunday

Eleven short exercises wait here. You will listen, pick, fill a gap, and build a line.

They stay small, so the round moves fast.

0 of 11 done

  1. What did you hear?

    What did you hear?

  2. What does it mean?

    What does it mean?

    I may be a little late.

  3. What do you say?

    What do you say?

    Saturday will not work at all. You want the plan on Sunday.

  4. Pick the reply

    Tasha says:

    Pick the reply

    Do you want me to wait?

    She asks if she should stay until you arrive.

    And you reply with:

  5. Fill the gap

    Fill the gap

    You mixed up the hour of the plan.

    I got the time ____.

  6. Build the line

    Build the line

    You might arrive after the planned time.

    .

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Swap the word

    Swap the word

    The plan is a little too early today. Ask to start later.

    Can we push it ____ a little?

  8. True or false?

    True or false?

    This line means you do not want the plan.

  9. What do you say?

    What do you say?

    Sunday is set. Offer a time that may work more.

  10. True or false?

    True or false?

    This line means the bus came early.

  11. Which one doesn’t belong?

    Which one doesn’t belong?

Say it — say the new time

Now you're Ana at the Blue Plate. Tasha wants a new time. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak.

Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. TashaHi. This afternoon is not going to work.a friendly hello, then she says today is not possible
  2. Ana (you)Ask to start a bit later today.

    Ask to start a bit later today.

    Can we push it back a little?

    Ask to start a bit later the same day.

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

Every line from this lesson
EnglishSimple EnglishPlay
Can we move it to ___?Ask to change the plan to this new time.
Would ___ be better?You offer a time that might work more.
I may be a little late.You might arrive after the planned time.
Please don't wait for me.They can start without you.
I got the time wrong.You mixed up the hour of the plan.
Can we push it back a little?Ask to start a bit later the same day.
Next: lesson 117Last weekend

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