Making plans

Imagine that Johnny Depp invites you to drink coffee on Saturday, but you have made plans to watch a 

movie with friends. Or Benedict Cumberbatch asks you to come to his Oscar ceremony, but you have a 

doctor’s appointment.

How can you tell them that you already have plans?

Here’s how:

• I'm going to + verb. I'm going to have a relaxing day. – Я собираюсь...
• I'm planning to.. – я планирую...
• I have an appointment – У меня прием. 
• I've got some plans for the weekend. – У меня есть планы на выходные. 
• I intend to.. – я намереваюсь...
• I've got my heart set on (doing) something – я настроился сделать что-то
• I'm hoping to... - Я надеюсь сделать что-то 
• I can't choose between (this) and (this). – Я не могу решить между (этим) и (этим). 
• I've booked a table at a restaurant. – Я забронировал столик в ресторане. 
• I've opted for ... - Я выбрал...
• I've decided to... - я решил (сделать что-то) 
• I'm having a party on Saturday – Я устраиваю вечеринку в субботу. 
• I've got other plans. – У меня уже есть планы. 
•  I've got a previous engagement. – Я уже договорился до этого. 
• I can't make it. – Я не смогу прийти. 
• I may/might stay in for the evening. – Возможно я останусь дома весь вечер. 
• What’s the plan? – What plan do we have? 
• I’ve made an arrangement. – I have a meeting with someone. 
• I’m meeting my friends at five o’clock on Tuesday. – We use present continuous for 100% plans.

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Here are some idioms connected with plans: 

• To lay something aside – to save something for the future 
• To plan something out – to make very detailed plans about something
• Plan ahead – to plan for the future 
• To plan on something – to prepare for something 
• To upset someone’s plans – to ruin someone’s plans
• The best-laid plans go astray – even very good plans can fail 
• Game plan – plan of action 
• What’s plan B? – What will we do if this course of action fails? 
• To lay plans – to plan 

Phoebe from “Friends” has some very serious plans! Watch and find out!