Knowing how to make an appointment is an essential practical skill in day-to-day life. The following are a few step-by-step guidelines meant to help English learners with this task.
Let’s start from the assumption that the appointment is being made by phone and take a doctor’s office as the example. The first thing you will probably hear on the other line when you call is:
“Hello, this is Dr. Merrick’s office, Melissa speaking, how can I help you?” The names will be different, of course.
Your reply should be:
“My name is _____________ and I would like to make an appointment.” Make sure to give your first and last name.
“OK, what’s your date of birth?”, the receptionist will say. This is a question specific to doctor’s offices.
“January 15th 1981.” Use the ordinal number 15th (fifteenth) and give the year as well.
“Can you come in on Thursday at 9 am?” Note the preposition on before the day and at before the time.
“Yes, I can.”
“OK, you are all set for Thursday at 9 am. See you then!”
“Thank you. Have a good day, bye!”
In case the day and time the receptionist gives you is not convenient, say:
“I can’t come in on Thursday, do you have anything available on Friday afternoon or next week?”
“We don’t have any openings on Friday, how about Monday at 2 PM?”
“OK, that works, thank you.”
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