Making plans: using prepositions of time and place

A2
90 min
Free
1

Think about these questions before reading. Share your ideas with a partner.

  1. Who do you usually make plans with on the weekend?
  2. What are some fun things to do with friends in your city?
  3. How do you usually contact your friends to make a plan (call, text, app)?
2

Making Plans for the Weekend

Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.

3

Answer the questions in your own words.

01Who suggests getting coffee?
Sample answerEmma suggests getting coffee.
02What day do they plan to meet?
Sample answerThey plan to meet on Saturday.
03Why can't Marco meet at 11 AM?
Sample answerHe can't meet at 11 AM because he has a dentist appointment.
04What time do they agree to meet in the end?
Sample answerThey agree to meet at 3 PM.
4

Key vocabulary for making plans

Vocabulary
These expressions will help you make and respond to plans more naturally.
Examples
How about...? — a friendly way to suggest an idea or a plan.
Use this to ask someone if they like your idea. For example: "How about we meet for coffee on Saturday?"
Sounds good. — a phrase you say to agree to a plan.
This is a friendly and informal way to say "yes". You can also say "Sounds great!" or "Sounds perfect!"
catch up — to talk to someone you have not seen for some time and find out what they have been doing.
We often use this with the word 'with'. For example: "Let's get a coffee and catch up with each other next week."
I'm afraid I can't. — a polite way to say "no" to an invitation or suggestion.
This is softer than just saying "No, I can't." You can add a reason after, like: "I'm afraid I can't, I have to work."
make it — to be able to go to an event or a meeting.
We often use this in questions like "Can you make it on Friday?" or to say you can't go: "Sorry, I can't make it."
5

Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.

Word bank
01Let's meet for coffee soon. We need to on all the news.
02Are you on Friday evening for dinner?
03A picnic in the park? That like a great idea!
04The party starts at 8 p.m. Can you ?
05I'm I can't come to the cinema tomorrow. I have to work late.
6

Grammar: prepositions of time and place

Grammar
When we make plans, we need to say when and where. We use small words called prepositions like 'in', 'on', and 'at' to give this information. Using the correct preposition is important for clear communication.
Examples
Let's meet on Friday at 3 pm.
Use 'on' for days of the week and 'at' for specific times.
The café is in the city center, on Park Street.
Use 'in' for larger areas like cities or neighborhoods, and 'on' for streets.
Are you free in the afternoon?
We use 'in' for parts of the day (in the morning, in the evening) and for months or years.
Key points
  • Use 'at' for specific times (at 8 o'clock) and specific places (at the station).
  • Use 'on' for days (on Monday) and dates (on June 5th).
  • Common mistake: don't use a preposition with 'next' or 'last'. Say 'see you next week', not 'see you on next week'.
7

Find the mistake

Read the sentences below about making plans.

Each sentence has one mistake. Find it and write the correct sentence.

01Let's meet on 5 o'clock this afternoon.
Corrected version
Let's meet on at 5 o'clock this afternoon.
02Are you busy in Friday evening?
Corrected version
Are you busy in on Friday evening?
03How about to get a coffee together?
Corrected version
How about to get getting a coffee together?
04That plan sound good to me.
Corrected version
That plan sound sounds good to me.
05I'm sorry, I can't do it tomorrow.
Corrected version
I'm sorry, I can't do make it tomorrow.
06We are meet at the new restaurant on King Street.
Corrected version
We are meet meeting at the new restaurant on King Street.
07I am free on the afternoon. What time is good for you?
Corrected version
I am free on in the afternoon. What time is good for you?
8

Vocabulary for making plans

Learn some new words to help you make plans with friends.

Match the word with its correct meaning.

Drag or click to match
Definitions
9

Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.

  1. In your country, do people usually make plans for the weekend many days before, or on the same day? What do you prefer?
  2. Is it better to say 'I'm afraid I can't' with a reason, like 'I'm busy', or is it okay to just say no? Why?
  3. Which is worse: a friend who is always late, or a friend who often cancels plans? Why?